A wave of high-profile law firm partners is defecting from firms that made deals with President Donald Trump’s administration to avoid sanctions, according to a move announced by Cooley on Friday.
Cooley said seven attorneys from Willkie Farr & Gallagher will join the firm’s global litigation department in San Francisco, amid growing criticism from lawyers and clients of firms that struck deals. The departures add to an exodus from law firms targeting Trump’s perceived enemies or disliked cases.
The move is a response to Trump’s executive orders targeting these firms, which threatened their business survival. Four firms sued the president’s actions, with judges striking down penalties for three of them, including Jenner & Block and WilmerHale. Cooley successfully challenged Trump’s actions in court.
Other firms made deals to avoid similar punishments, pledging $1 billion in pro bono services. However, this has led to an exodus of employees from these firms, including younger associates and high-profile partners.
Cooley’s new arrivals were mostly based in San Francisco and will join a global litigation department. The move is seen as a response to the growing backlash against law firms that made deals with Trump’s administration.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/13/7-partners-leave-willkie-farr-firm-that-made-trump-deal-cooley-which-fought-him