Daijiworld Media Network- Washington

Washington, May 24: In a significant shake-up within the American legal fraternity, four prominent attorneys with strong Democratic ties have resigned from the high-profile law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, following the firm's controversial $40 million pro bono commitment to Trump-aligned causes.

According to Politico, the quartet — Karen Dunn, Jeannie Rhee, Jessica Phillips, and William Isaacson — will be venturing out to establish their own independent legal practice. The decision comes just two months after Paul, Weiss negotiated a contentious agreement with the White House, reportedly aimed at shielding the firm from an executive order that could have severely impacted its operations.

The now-rescinded executive order had allegedly targeted Paul, Weiss over a past association with a lawyer involved in former President Trump’s investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. The order reportedly threatened to bar the firm’s attorneys from government buildings, curtail access to federal contracts, and restrict communications with public officials.

Paul, Weiss Chair Brad Karp had warned that the executive order could prove "devastating" to the firm's legal standing and operational capabilities, prompting the firm to strike a conciliatory deal with the administration — a move that has drawn considerable backlash from within legal and political circles.

Among the departing attorneys is Karen Dunn, a highly regarded litigator who co-chaired the firm’s litigation practice and has a longstanding history of assisting Democratic presidential and vice-presidential candidates in debate preparation since 2008.

Also exiting is Jeannie Rhee, a former Justice Department official under President Obama, who represented Hillary Clinton during the private email server investigation and later joined Robert Mueller’s special counsel team during the Trump-Russia probe.

Jessica Phillips, known for her work representing major tech companies in high-stakes litigation, and William Isaacson, an award-winning trial lawyer once named Litigator of the Year by The American Lawyer, round out the team forming the new firm.

In a farewell message to colleagues, Dunn wrote, "It has been an honor to work alongside such talented lawyers and to call so many of you our friends. We hope to continue to collaborate with all of you in the years to come and are incredibly grateful for your warm and generous partnership."

While federal judges have already declared similar executive orders against other law firms like Perkins Coie and Jenner & Block unconstitutional, others such as WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey are still engaged in legal challenges. Paul, Weiss, however, opted for negotiation.

In a brief statement, Paul, Weiss acknowledged the departures, stating: "Paul, Weiss is grateful to Bill, Jeannie, Jessica and Karen for their many contributions. We wish them well in all their future endeavors."

The development signals not only a dramatic realignment within the legal elite but also raises fresh questions about the intersection of politics, law, and institutional independence in an increasingly polarized America.