In recent months, President Trump's unprecedented retaliatory actions against individual attorneys and entire firms is leaving onlookers concerned about the future of the American legal profession.
The response from firms has varied: some have pushed back, others have made uneasy concessions. Regardless of their response, this disruption of traditional norms has raised critical questions about governmental overreach and the resilience of democratic institutions in the face of executive pressure.
These very questions are the subject of a rich and timely three-part mini-series, 'Trump v BigLaw,' on The Lawyer Podcast, hosted by Catrin Griffiths and Christian Smith. One moment in particular caught my eye (or ear). When asked, What is the purpose of a law firm?, Catrin answered:
'It is at least to acknowledge that you are not an island.'
Critiquing firms that are waiting on the side lines for the political storm to blow over, she underscores that now is not the time for isolation. Law firms, she says, must understand that they are 'an archipelago,' interdependent and collectively responsible for defending their capacity to serve clients, uphold the rule of law, and preserve professional independence.
Listen to the whole episode here: https://www.thelawyer.com/the-lawyer-podcast-trump-v-biglaw-part-two-deal-or-no-deal/