Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp was reportedly "heckled" during his speech at a New York Bar Foundation event on Friday, just seven months after striking a controversial deal with Donald Trump's administration.
Social media critics expressed outrage in March and accused a lawyer from the powerful law firm of "capitulating" to Trump. Trump withdrew an executive order that rescinded security clearances from the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison after Trump met with Karp, and they came to an agreement, with the firm pledging $40 million worth of pro bono legal services during Trump's presidency.
That outrage apparently hasn't died down, according to Law.com's reporting from a recent speech where there was protesting and heckling.
Quoting Karp as saying, "We were targeted by the current administration, in large part because of our lawyers high profile work on pro bono matters, we ultimately resolve that existential threat, and I'm proud to say that our pro bono work on critically important matters continues today," the outlet notes, "Karp's comments at the foundation's 75th anniversary event, however, did not go unchecked."
"Dozens of protesters lined the event's entrance at Gotham Hall in midtown Manhattan with 'No Kings' signs and other posters calling out Paul Weiss and other prominent firms that have struck deals with the Trump administration," the outlet reported. "One lone heckler in the ballroom also voiced their distaste with Karp’s decision and continuously yelled 'for Trump?' as Karp listed the firm's pro bono accomplishments, such as its pledge to devote $175 million toward pro bono work in 2025."
The report goes on to state that "New York Supreme Court Judge Cheryl E. Chambers, who is also president of the foundation, led the event with remarks about equity and inclusion in the practice of law. Other honorees at the event Friday included Morrison Foerster partner Carrie H. Cohen, Apollo Global Management Partner and Chief Legal Officer Whitney Chatterjee, New York Knicks captain Jalen Brunson and former U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch."
"Lynch's speech closed out the evening and highlighted the importance of the legal profession in the current political climate. While she did not mention Trump's name specifically, Lynch made multiple references to doubts plaguing the justice system's ability to hold leaders accountable, no matter their rank," according to the report.