Ryan Powers, a former associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, alleges that his termination was a direct result of his public criticisms of the Trump administration. Powers contends that his dismissal exemplifies a broader trend within major law firms to suppress dissenting viewpoints.
Powers, a Harvard Law graduate, joined Davis Polk’s tax group in October 2023. During his tenure, he authored opinion pieces critical of federal government surveillance practices, specifically highlighting Palantir Technologies. Notably, Davis Polk had previously advised banks involved in Palantir’s 2020 stock listing. In June 2025, Powers was informed by the firm’s human resources department that his writings violated internal policies due to the lack of prior approval, leading to his immediate termination. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/banking-law/davis-polk-axes-associate-over-trump-administration-criticism?utm_source=openai))
In response to his firing, Powers stated, “The firm needs to do what it needs to do to protect whatever interests that they choose to support. I understand why they are doing what they’re doing. At the same time, it’s very sad on a personal level because it ends my Big Law career sooner than I had anticipated and in a very different way than I had anticipated.” ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/banking-law/davis-polk-axes-associate-over-trump-administration-criticism?utm_source=openai))
This incident occurs amid a series of actions by the Trump administration targeting law firms perceived as adversarial. In March 2025, President Trump issued a memorandum directing federal agencies to terminate engagements with Covington & Burling LLP, citing the firm’s involvement with former special counsel Jack Smith. Similar measures were taken against other firms, including Perkins Coie and Paul Weiss, with executive orders suspending security clearances and reviewing government contracts. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targeting_of_law_firms_and_lawyers_under_the_second_Trump_administration?utm_source=openai))
These governmental actions have prompted some law firms to modify their public profiles. For instance, Davis Polk reportedly removed references to racial justice and immigration from its pro bono webpage. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/26/trump-executive-orders-law-firms?utm_source=openai))
Internally, these developments have led to resignations and ethical debates within firms. At Skadden, associate Rachel Cohen publicly condemned the firm’s actions before her termination, and other associates resigned in protest. ([jdjournal.com](https://www.jdjournal.com/2025/04/16/big-law-in-turmoil-surge-of-resignations-as-trump-administration-targets-major-firms/?utm_source=openai))
The legal community remains divided on these issues. While some firms have acquiesced to governmental pressures, others have challenged the administration’s actions in court, arguing that such measures threaten the independence of the legal profession and the principle of equal justice under law. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targeting_of_law_firms_and_lawyers_under_the_second_Trump_administration?utm_source=openai))