Big Law Gets Back to Business

Yahoo! News - Mar 24th, 2025
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In a significant shift, major New York City law firms are beginning to engage with Donald Trump, putting politics aside to focus on business. Sullivan & Cromwell and Paul Weiss have taken steps to represent Trump's interests, with the latter agreeing to a $40 million legal work deal supporting Trump administration policies and terminating their DEI program. This move marks a return to traditional business-focused practices for Big Law, setting aside political considerations that have influenced the sector in recent years.

This development underscores a significant recalibration within major law firms, which have historically leaned left due to pressure from activist groups and political affiliations. The shift reflects a broader trend within the legal profession to prioritize business pragmatism over political ideology, potentially signaling a new era of nonpartisan legal representation. The implications are profound, as this could reshape the relationship between politics and business in the legal sector, challenging the current norms around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and the perceived political leanings of major firms.

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RATING

4.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article "Big Law Gets Back to Business" presents an intriguing examination of the intersection between major law firms and political affiliations, particularly in relation to Donald Trump's administration. While it addresses timely and relevant topics, the piece is hindered by a lack of comprehensive evidence and balanced perspectives. The narrative leans heavily towards a critical view of left-leaning policies and DEI initiatives, which may limit its appeal to a broader audience seeking a more nuanced analysis. The absence of direct sourcing and detailed explanations for key claims further undermines its credibility and impact. Despite these shortcomings, the article's provocative stance and engagement with current events ensure its relevance to ongoing discussions about the role of politics in the legal profession and business practices.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims that require verification. For instance, it states that Sullivan & Cromwell agreed to handle Donald Trump's appeal in a criminal case brought by Alvin Bragg, and that Paul Weiss agreed to provide $40 million in legal work for mutually agreeable matters supporting Trump's policy initiatives. These claims are significant and need confirmation from reliable sources. The article also discusses political donations by law firms, particularly focusing on Paul Weiss's contributions to Democratic Party committees, which should be cross-verified with donation records. Additionally, the piece mentions Trump's Executive Orders aimed at depoliticizing American business, a claim that should be supported by specific examples of such orders and their impacts. The accuracy of these claims is essential for the article's credibility, yet the lack of direct citations or evidence weakens its factual reliability.

4
Balance

The article appears to have a strong bias, particularly in its portrayal of Big Law's relationship with political entities. It frames the actions of law firms like Paul Weiss in a way that seems to favor Trump's administration while criticizing left-leaning influences in the legal profession. The narrative suggests that Big Law firms were previously swayed by left-wing activist groups and are now realigning with more conservative interests. This perspective lacks balance as it predominantly highlights the perceived negative aspects of left-leaning policies without equally presenting the potential benefits or rationale behind them. The absence of counterarguments or perspectives from those who might support DEI initiatives or criticize Trump's policies further skews the balance, leading to a one-sided portrayal.

6
Clarity

While the article is generally coherent and follows a logical structure, the clarity is somewhat compromised by its complex subject matter and the lack of detailed explanations for some of the assertions. The language used is accessible, but the article could benefit from clearer definitions of terms like DEI and ESG for readers who may not be familiar with these concepts. Additionally, the narrative occasionally assumes a level of familiarity with the legal and political landscape that not all readers may possess, which could hinder comprehension. Despite these issues, the article maintains a consistent tone and presents its main points in an organized manner.

3
Source quality

The article does not provide adequate sourcing or attribution for its claims. There is a lack of direct quotes from involved parties, such as representatives from Sullivan & Cromwell or Paul Weiss, or from Trump administration officials. The absence of named sources or references to specific documents, such as legal agreements or Executive Orders, undermines the credibility of the information presented. The reliance on unnamed or unspecified sources diminishes the authority and reliability of the reporting, making it difficult for readers to assess the validity of the claims made.

3
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in several key areas. It does not disclose the methodology behind its assertions nor does it reveal any potential conflicts of interest that may influence the narrative. The basis for claims regarding the political affiliations of law firms and their decision-making processes is not clearly explained. Additionally, the article does not provide sufficient context for understanding the broader implications of the legal agreements and political maneuvers discussed. This lack of transparency makes it challenging for readers to fully grasp the motivations and consequences of the events described.

Sources

  1. https://www.realclearpolitics.com