Brad Karp’s Rocky Reception: Protests and Heckling at NY Bar Foundation Event
On the evening of November 7, 2025, Brad S. Karp, chairman of the powerhouse law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, took the stage at a New York Bar Foundation gala in Manhattan to deliver remarks on leadership and the future of Big Law. What should have been a polished address turned tense when Karp addressed the firm’s controversial March 2025 deal with President Donald Trump’s administration—prompting immediate protests, heckling, and walkouts from attendees. The incident, captured in viral videos and dominating legal news cycles, underscores the lingering backlash against Paul, Weiss’s decision to negotiate rather than litigate against Trump’s executive order targeting the firm. As of November 9, 2025, the event has reignited debates over corporate capitulation, ethics in law, and Trump’s ongoing pressure on elite firms.
The Event: A Gala Gone Awry
The New York Bar Foundation’s annual dinner, held at the Waldorf Astoria, draws top legal minds, philanthropists, and alumni for networking and awards. Karp, a longtime Democratic bundler who raised millions for candidates like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, was invited to speak on “Navigating Turbulent Times in the Legal Profession.” Midway through, he pivoted to the Paul, Weiss-Trump deal, framing it as a pragmatic move to avert an “existential crisis” for the firm and its 1,000+ lawyers.
- Karp’s Defense: “We faced a direct threat to our survival—government contracts frozen, clearances revoked, clients fleeing. Other firms could afford to sue; we couldn’t risk it all. The agreement reaffirmed our commitment to pro bono work and client representation, without compromising our values.” He noted the deal’s $40 million pro bono pledge went to neutral causes like antisemitism task forces, not partisan ones, and highlighted how the firm had since thrived, ranking #1 in Vault’s 2026 prestige list.
The room, however, wasn’t buying it. Shouts of “Sellout!” and “Shame on Paul Weiss!” erupted from a group of about 50 attendees, including law professors, ACLU affiliates, and alumni. Protesters held signs reading “Big Law vs. Big Lies” and “Ethics Over Profits.” Several stood and turned their backs, while others livestreamed the chaos on X, amassing over 2 million views by morning. Event security intervened minimally, but the disruption forced Karp to cut his speech short by 10 minutes. NY Bar Foundation officials later called it “an unfortunate but passionate exchange,” emphasizing the event’s focus on free speech.
Backstory: The Trump Deal That Sparked It All
The controversy traces to March 2025, when Trump, in his second term, issued Executive Order 14021 targeting Paul, Weiss (along with Perkins Coie and Covington & Burling) for alleged “anti-government activities.” The order—widely criticized as legally dubious and retaliatory—barred firm lawyers from federal buildings, revoked security clearances, and threatened client contracts. It stemmed from the firm’s ties to Trump’s critics, including ex-partner Mark Pomerantz’s role in probing Trump during his Manhattan DA stint.
Karp flew to D.C. for a White House sit-down, emerging with a deal: Trump rescinded the order in exchange for Paul, Weiss’s pledge of $40 million in pro bono hours to “mutually agreed projects” (e.g., DOJ antisemitism initiatives) and a vague nod to representing all clients “irrespective of politics.” Trump touted it on Truth Social as an admission of “wrongdoing” by Pomerantz, though Karp’s version omitted that. While rivals like Skadden and WilmerHale sued and won quick court victories, Paul, Weiss’s fold drew immediate fire.
The Fallout: Resignations, Letters, and Lingering Scars
The deal’s immediate aftermath was brutal:
- Internal Exodus: At least 10 litigation partners jumped ship, including Democratic donors who formed a boutique firm repping Meta and Google. Recruitment dipped 15% in 2025, per NALP data, with law students citing “ethical red flags.”
- Alumni Revolt: On March 24, 141 ex-associates (45 anonymously) penned an open letter to Karp: “We protest the firm’s surrender to bullying tactics… This capitulation erodes the profession’s integrity.” Common Cause amplified it, calling the firm a “lightning rod for anger.”
- Bipartisan Backlash: 47 House Democrats (led by Jamie Raskin) sent a letter questioning if the deal chilled representation of Trump’s adversaries. Even conservatives like Ted Cruz praised the “pragmatism” but mocked Karp’s past anti-Trump op-eds.
By summer, the firm stabilized—revenues hit $2.8 billion—but the stigma persists. Critics argue it normalized Trump’s intimidation of Big Law; defenders, including Karp, say it preserved jobs and avoided a “noble suicide.”
Broader Implications for Big Law
This NY Bar dust-up isn’t isolated: Similar jeers greeted Skadden’s Joe Shen at a June ABA panel, and Trump’s DOJ memo flagging “frivolous” suits has chilled anti-administration work. On X, reactions split: Legal influencers like @DavidLat called it “karma for folding,” while @BigLawInsider defended Karp as a “savvy survivor.” As one Reddit thread in r/Law put it: “Big Law’s transformation from guardians of the rule of law to profit machines is complete.”
Karp has no public comment on the heckling, but a firm spokesperson reiterated: “We stand by our decisions and remain committed to the bar’s ideals.” With Trump’s term heating up, expect more such flashpoints—proof that in law, as in politics, old deals die hard. For full coverage, see Law.com’s live updates.