Lawyer, up!

For your weekend reading, Perkins Coie, LLP defending freedom by giving Musk^_Trump both fingers. But through the courts, because they’re lawyers. Scroll down for the various filings.

Since before the second verse, whole lot worse of DOPUS Trump, I’ve seen various people use the word fear to describe the actions of enormously privileged and powerful people giving in to him without a fight. I think the first time was when whoever’s in charge at ABC gave him a truckload of cash. I understand why people think of this as protection payments (which, as Campos noted at the time, won’t buy much protection). But I don’t buy it.

In the case of the execs at ABC, I saw a plausibly deniable gift to someone they support (and came out of the company’s coffers, ca-ching!). In the case of the managing partners at Paul, Weiss, I see people who agree with the Republicans’ pro-discrimination and pro-segregation policies and are acting accordingly. How else do you explain a massive law firm giving in to a bunch of absurd demands?

And please, if anyone is about to comment that people who could purchase everything you own with their couch change are afraid of the orange meanie and his minions, let me spare you the effort: Even if I knew it were true, I would not give a shit.

When I read about Paul, Weiss last night I thought of the firm’s lower-level employees who now knew that their bosses were going along with the Republicans declaration that working while not being a white Christian cishet man is verboten, unless a massive bigot decides you meet their standards (good luck). Oh, and their employer will let people who hate the very sight of you snoop through HR.

Anyway, in contrast to the behavior of collaborators, here’s the statement from Bill Malley, Perkins Coie’s managing partner.

A Message From Our Managing Partner

On March 11, 2025, we filed a legal action in response to a recent Executive Order that unlawfully targets Perkins Coie. The order violates core constitutional rights, including the rights to free speech and due process. At the heart of the order is an unlawful attack on the freedom of all Americans to select counsel of their choice without fear of retribution or punishment from the government. We were compelled to take this action to protect our firm and our clients.

Since our founding in 1912, Perkins Coie has built enduring relationships with our clients based on trust, dedication, and a shared pursuit of excellence. We have advocated for clients with a wide range of perspectives, beliefs, and needs. We take pride in a workplace culture grounded in a commitment to treating everyone, regardless of background, with fairness, civility, and respect. We are a firm of more than 2,400 people proudly working together across 21 offices in service to our clients. We represent clients from start-ups to market leaders across a wide range of industries and practice areas. We are known for representing some of the world’s most innovative companies on issues at the forefront of technological change.

We are grateful for the outpouring of support and offers of assistance following the issuance of the Executive Order. I have never been prouder to stand with my firm and others in the legal community in support of our people, our clients, and our profession.

‍