Exclusive: Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft struck a deal with President Trump last month intended to secure the future of New York’s oldest law firm. Instead the pact is backfiring, adding to an exodus of lawyers that has placed the firm on uncertain footing.
Exclusive | Venerable New York Firm that Struck a Deal with Trump Is Losing Lawyers
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil.
www.wsj.com
May 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Exclusive: Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft struck a deal with President Trump last month intended to secure the future of New York’s oldest law firm. Instead the pact is backfiring, adding to an exodus of lawyers that has placed the firm on uncertain footing.
Report card:
Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps, Kirkland & Ellis, Willkie Farr, A&O Shearman, Milbank, Cadwalader, Latham & Watkins: F
Perkins Coie, Wilmer Hale, Susman Godfrey, Jenner & Block, Covington & Burling, Munger Tolles: A
Metric:
Courage & Conviction v Cowardice & Cravenness
Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps, Kirkland & Ellis, Willkie Farr, A&O Shearman, Milbank, Cadwalader, Latham & Watkins: F
Perkins Coie, Wilmer Hale, Susman Godfrey, Jenner & Block, Covington & Burling, Munger Tolles: A
Metric:
Courage & Conviction v Cowardice & Cravenness
April 28, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Report card:
Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps, Kirkland & Ellis, Willkie Farr, A&O Shearman, Milbank, Cadwalader, Latham & Watkins: F
Perkins Coie, Wilmer Hale, Susman Godfrey, Jenner & Block, Covington & Burling, Munger Tolles: A
Metric:
Courage & Conviction v Cowardice & Cravenness
Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps, Kirkland & Ellis, Willkie Farr, A&O Shearman, Milbank, Cadwalader, Latham & Watkins: F
Perkins Coie, Wilmer Hale, Susman Godfrey, Jenner & Block, Covington & Burling, Munger Tolles: A
Metric:
Courage & Conviction v Cowardice & Cravenness
Good. On top of the Trump deal, I know from personal experience Cadwalader just plain sucks and the world would be better if it simply vanished.
WSJ: New York Firm That Struck a Deal With Trump Is Losing Lawyers
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Exclusive | Venerable New York Firm That Struck a Deal With Trump Is Losing Lawyers
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil.
www.wsj.com
May 9, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Good. On top of the Trump deal, I know from personal experience Cadwalader just plain sucks and the world would be better if it simply vanished.
Exactly how much CAD in Cadwalader?
May 8, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Exactly how much CAD in Cadwalader?
WSJ: New York Firm That Struck a Deal With Trump Is Losing Lawyers
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Exclusive | Venerable New York Firm That Struck a Deal With Trump Is Losing Lawyers
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil.
www.wsj.com
May 9, 2025 at 9:59 AM
WSJ: New York Firm That Struck a Deal With Trump Is Losing Lawyers
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Important to note: Todd Blanche (then a private attorney at Cadwalader) appears among its recipients.
August 14, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Important to note: Todd Blanche (then a private attorney at Cadwalader) appears among its recipients.
If you are at A&O Shearman, Cadwalader, Kirkland, Latham, or Simpson, please reach out and let me know how the capitulation was communicated by your firm's leadership — and if you or anyone else is leaving as a result.
I am on Signal at crg.32
I am on Signal at crg.32
I can't believe I have to think about law firms behaving badly right now, on top of everything else.
April 11, 2025 at 7:59 PM
If you are at A&O Shearman, Cadwalader, Kirkland, Latham, or Simpson, please reach out and let me know how the capitulation was communicated by your firm's leadership — and if you or anyone else is leaving as a result.
I am on Signal at crg.32
I am on Signal at crg.32
Remember the names of the sellouts:
Kirkland & Ellis
Latham & Watkins
A&O Shearman
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
Also kneeled to the wanna be dictator and gave $100 million+ of pro bono hours. All on the wrong side of history!
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/b...
Kirkland & Ellis
Latham & Watkins
A&O Shearman
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
Also kneeled to the wanna be dictator and gave $100 million+ of pro bono hours. All on the wrong side of history!
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/b...
Five More Big Law Firms Reach Deals With Trump
Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, A&O Shearman, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft agreed to do free legal work on causes the White House supports.
www.nytimes.com
April 12, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Remember the names of the sellouts:
Kirkland & Ellis
Latham & Watkins
A&O Shearman
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
Also kneeled to the wanna be dictator and gave $100 million+ of pro bono hours. All on the wrong side of history!
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/b...
Kirkland & Ellis
Latham & Watkins
A&O Shearman
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
Also kneeled to the wanna be dictator and gave $100 million+ of pro bono hours. All on the wrong side of history!
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/b...
“Many clients see the deals as a weakness and, increasingly, are pulling work away from the firms that [capitulated] to the Trump administration. … Attorneys are leaving the firms that caved to Trump, hoping to get the stink of capitulation off their resumes.”
Cadwalader Feels The Fallout From Cowardly Trump Deal - Above the Law
It isn't going great for Trump capitulators.
abovethelaw.com
May 9, 2025 at 10:26 PM
“Many clients see the deals as a weakness and, increasingly, are pulling work away from the firms that [capitulated] to the Trump administration. … Attorneys are leaving the firms that caved to Trump, hoping to get the stink of capitulation off their resumes.”
Shameful
Seriously WEAK
Law firm Cadwalader,Wickersham, and Taft, LLP located in NYC oldest firm in NYC CAVES TO TRUMP
Seriously WEAK
Law firm Cadwalader,Wickersham, and Taft, LLP located in NYC oldest firm in NYC CAVES TO TRUMP
April 11, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Shameful
Seriously WEAK
Law firm Cadwalader,Wickersham, and Taft, LLP located in NYC oldest firm in NYC CAVES TO TRUMP
Seriously WEAK
Law firm Cadwalader,Wickersham, and Taft, LLP located in NYC oldest firm in NYC CAVES TO TRUMP
The five big law firms that caved to Trump—Kirkland, Cadwalader, A&O Shearman, Latham, and Simpson—are trying to defend themselves against the indefensible.
They chose to collaborate with tyranny.
Any new clients are suspect too.
They’ll be known as cowards always.
www.law.com/nationallawj...
They chose to collaborate with tyranny.
Any new clients are suspect too.
They’ll be known as cowards always.
www.law.com/nationallawj...
5 Big Law Firms Defend Their Deals With Trump, Explain ‘Independence’ on Client Matters
In responses to lawmakers, Kirkland, Cadwalader, A&O Shearman, Latham, and Simpson leaders said their deals with Trump do not restrict the clients they represent or change their operations.
www.law.com
May 6, 2025 at 7:53 PM
The five big law firms that caved to Trump—Kirkland, Cadwalader, A&O Shearman, Latham, and Simpson—are trying to defend themselves against the indefensible.
They chose to collaborate with tyranny.
Any new clients are suspect too.
They’ll be known as cowards always.
www.law.com/nationallawj...
They chose to collaborate with tyranny.
Any new clients are suspect too.
They’ll be known as cowards always.
www.law.com/nationallawj...
Capitulation Doesn't Work: Old-line law firm Cadwalader tried to buy off the Trump regime. Partners are leaving anyway. The lesson: fight don't fold (especially if your entire stock-in-trade is fighting, FFS -- you're lawyers!). www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Exclusive | Venerable New York Firm That Struck a Deal With Trump Is Losing Lawyers
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil.
www.wsj.com
May 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Capitulation Doesn't Work: Old-line law firm Cadwalader tried to buy off the Trump regime. Partners are leaving anyway. The lesson: fight don't fold (especially if your entire stock-in-trade is fighting, FFS -- you're lawyers!). www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Who are the 9 firms paying off Trump to avoid his attacks?
Bookmark it:
A&O Shearman: $125 million
Kirkland: $125 million
Latham & Watkins: $125 million
Simpson Thacher: $125 million
Cadwalader: $100 million
Milbank: $100 million
Skadden: $100 million
Willkie: $100 million
Paul Weiss: $40 million
Bookmark it:
A&O Shearman: $125 million
Kirkland: $125 million
Latham & Watkins: $125 million
Simpson Thacher: $125 million
Cadwalader: $100 million
Milbank: $100 million
Skadden: $100 million
Willkie: $100 million
Paul Weiss: $40 million
April 24, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Who are the 9 firms paying off Trump to avoid his attacks?
Bookmark it:
A&O Shearman: $125 million
Kirkland: $125 million
Latham & Watkins: $125 million
Simpson Thacher: $125 million
Cadwalader: $100 million
Milbank: $100 million
Skadden: $100 million
Willkie: $100 million
Paul Weiss: $40 million
Bookmark it:
A&O Shearman: $125 million
Kirkland: $125 million
Latham & Watkins: $125 million
Simpson Thacher: $125 million
Cadwalader: $100 million
Milbank: $100 million
Skadden: $100 million
Willkie: $100 million
Paul Weiss: $40 million
Add Cadwalader to the list of SPINELESS LAW FIRMS.
April 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Add Cadwalader to the list of SPINELESS LAW FIRMS.
Ellen Holloman is leaving Cadwalader, which pledged $100 million to Trump's causes, to join a firm known for representing E. Jean Carroll.
Partner at firm that made deal with Trump defects to law firm suing administration
Ellen Holloman is leaving Cadwalader, which pledged $100 million to Trump's causes, to join a firm known for representing E. Jean Carroll.
www.businessinsider.com
June 17, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Ellen Holloman is leaving Cadwalader, which pledged $100 million to Trump's causes, to join a firm known for representing E. Jean Carroll.
Big Law Checklist
(as of 4/12/25, by size)
Hero Firms 👏🏻
#38 WilmerHale
#52 Perkins Coie
#84 Susman Godfry
#110 Jenner & Block
Coward Firms 👎🏻
#1 Kirkland & Ellis
#2 Latham & Watkins
#5 Skadden, Arps
#18 Simpson Thacher
#27 Paul Weiss
#36 Milbank
#37 Willkie Farr
#75 Shearman
#122 Cadwalader
(as of 4/12/25, by size)
Hero Firms 👏🏻
#38 WilmerHale
#52 Perkins Coie
#84 Susman Godfry
#110 Jenner & Block
Coward Firms 👎🏻
#1 Kirkland & Ellis
#2 Latham & Watkins
#5 Skadden, Arps
#18 Simpson Thacher
#27 Paul Weiss
#36 Milbank
#37 Willkie Farr
#75 Shearman
#122 Cadwalader
April 12, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Big Law Checklist
(as of 4/12/25, by size)
Hero Firms 👏🏻
#38 WilmerHale
#52 Perkins Coie
#84 Susman Godfry
#110 Jenner & Block
Coward Firms 👎🏻
#1 Kirkland & Ellis
#2 Latham & Watkins
#5 Skadden, Arps
#18 Simpson Thacher
#27 Paul Weiss
#36 Milbank
#37 Willkie Farr
#75 Shearman
#122 Cadwalader
(as of 4/12/25, by size)
Hero Firms 👏🏻
#38 WilmerHale
#52 Perkins Coie
#84 Susman Godfry
#110 Jenner & Block
Coward Firms 👎🏻
#1 Kirkland & Ellis
#2 Latham & Watkins
#5 Skadden, Arps
#18 Simpson Thacher
#27 Paul Weiss
#36 Milbank
#37 Willkie Farr
#75 Shearman
#122 Cadwalader
NEW: Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and Latham & Watkins LLP have each committed to at least $125 million in free legal work.
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, LLP is on the hook for at least $100 million.
www.cnbc.com/2025/04/11/t...
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, LLP is on the hook for at least $100 million.
www.cnbc.com/2025/04/11/t...
April 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
NEW: Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and Latham & Watkins LLP have each committed to at least $125 million in free legal work.
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, LLP is on the hook for at least $100 million.
www.cnbc.com/2025/04/11/t...
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, LLP is on the hook for at least $100 million.
www.cnbc.com/2025/04/11/t...
I’m going to remind folks often of the pretend lawyers who work in the firms that folded to an unconstitutional threat from Trump: Skadden; Paul Weiss; Milbank; Willkie Farr & Gallagher; Kirkland & Ellis; A&O Shearman; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Latham & Watkins; and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft.
May 9, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I’m going to remind folks often of the pretend lawyers who work in the firms that folded to an unconstitutional threat from Trump: Skadden; Paul Weiss; Milbank; Willkie Farr & Gallagher; Kirkland & Ellis; A&O Shearman; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Latham & Watkins; and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft.
Law partner at Cadwalader, a firm that struck deal with Trump White House, leaves to join Roberta Kaplan's firm www.reuters.com/legal/legali...
Cadwalader partner leaves to join Roberta Kaplan's law firm
A litigation partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft who also chaired the law firm's pro bono committee has left for a smaller firm led by Roberta Kaplan, marking the latest departure from firms that struck deals with U.S. President Donald Trump to avert a White House crackdown.
www.reuters.com
June 17, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Law partner at Cadwalader, a firm that struck deal with Trump White House, leaves to join Roberta Kaplan's firm www.reuters.com/legal/legali...
“The pact is backfiring.”
Exclusive | Venerable New York Firm that Struck a Deal with Trump Is Losing Lawyers
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil.
www.wsj.com
May 8, 2025 at 7:57 PM
“The pact is backfiring.”
Back when I was interviewing for firm jobs, the advice I got was to call the firm, hear the receptionist say the firm’s name, and then apologize for calling the wrong number.
Had to do that for Cadwalader.
Had to do that for Cadwalader.
Prepping for oral argument and the scariest aspect so far is that one of the key cases has a basically unpronounceable name. (Fired up Oyez to see how counsel pronounced it, which helped.)
May 7, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Back when I was interviewing for firm jobs, the advice I got was to call the firm, hear the receptionist say the firm’s name, and then apologize for calling the wrong number.
Had to do that for Cadwalader.
Had to do that for Cadwalader.
The Cadwalader story is funny because they've always had a reputation of being particularly assholish even for a law firm www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Exclusive | Venerable New York Firm That Struck a Deal With Trump Is Losing Lawyers
Cadwalader avoided a punitive executive order, but the accord has left the firm in turmoil.
www.wsj.com
May 9, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The Cadwalader story is funny because they've always had a reputation of being particularly assholish even for a law firm www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...