According to an email acquired by , a leading Democratic attorney along with three additional senior partners are departing from Paul, Weiss to establish their own legal practice.

The departures come two months after Paul, Weiss entered a deal with the White House to provide $40 million in pro-bono legal work to causes supported by President Donald Trump in exchange for the removal of an executive order that firm Chair Brad Karp said “

could easily have destroyed our firm

.”

The exits comprise Karen Dunn, who led the litigation division as co-chair and has assisted Democratic nominees for presidency and vice-presidency in debate preparations through every election cycle starting from 2008.

Also leaving the firm is Jeannie Rhee, a former Obama-era Justice Department official who previously represented Hillary Clinton in a lawsuit regarding her use of a private email server and later joined special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigative team.

Completing the list of departures are Jessica Phillips, known for representing several of the country’s leading tech firms in legal battles, and William Isaacson, a prominent litigation attorney who was previously honored as Litigator of the Year by The American Lawyer.

Dunn stated in a farewell email addressed to the firm’s partners, “We regret being unable to share this personal message directly with each one of you: we’ve made the decision to depart from Paul, Weiss to establish a new legal practice.” He continued, “It has been a privilege working closely with such exceptional attorneys and considering numerous among you as dear friends. We look forward to maintaining collaboration with everyone in the future and feel deeply thankful for your kind and gracious support during our time here.”


Citing the firm’s association

Alongside a legal representative who formerly probed Trump under the purview of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the executive order severed ties between the company and its clientele and government contracts. It also curtailed the capacity of these attorneys to engage with governmental personnel and potentially barred Paul Weiss representatives from accessing certain areas within government facilities.

Two federal judges have issued comparable rulings against law firms.

Perkins Coie

and

Jenner & Block

Unconstitutional. Two more law firms, WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey, have filed lawsuits concerning analogous executive orders, with final decisions still awaited in these instances.

But Paul Weiss and

other elite law firms

made agreements to attempt winning favor with Trump.

“Paul Weiss appreciates the numerous contributions from Bill, Jeannie, Jessica, and Karen. The firm wishes them success in all their upcoming ventures,” they stated.