Paul Weiss Exodus Did the Trump Deal Doom Them?

Paul Weiss Sees Another High-Profile Exit: Damian Williams Joins Jenner & Block

The legal world is buzzing once again with news surrounding Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison, the prestigious law firm that initially engaged with the Trump administration to navigate a contentious executive order. This time, the headline involves the departure of Damian Williams, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who is leaving Paul Weiss to join Jenner & Block.

Williams' move, announced on Friday, comes shortly after his arrival at Paul Weiss in January, following his tenure as one of the nation's leading federal prosecutors. He will now co-lead Jenner & Block's litigation and white collar practices, adding considerable heft to their already impressive team. This transition marks yet another significant departure from Paul Weiss, raising questions about the firm's current trajectory.

The backdrop to this move is particularly noteworthy. Jenner & Block distinguished itself from Paul Weiss by opting to challenge the aforementioned executive order, which was widely perceived as retaliatory. The order targeted firms employing attorneys who had previously investigated Mr. Trump. In a resounding victory for Jenner & Block and the principles of justice, a federal judge last month deemed the executive order "doubly violative of the Constitution," striking it down completely.

During his tenure as U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, Mr. Williams, at 44, achieved remarkable success in prosecuting high-profile cases. His accomplishments include:

• Securing a conviction in the fraud case against Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange.
• Successfully convicting former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez on public corruption charges.

These landmark cases underscore Williams' dedication to upholding the law and his exceptional skills as a prosecutor. His departure from Paul Weiss and subsequent move to Jenner & Block signals a significant shift within the legal landscape, and all eyes will be on his future contributions at his new firm.

The contrast between Paul Weiss' initial approach to the executive order and Jenner & Block's firm stance against it highlights a critical debate within the legal community. Williams' decision to align himself with Jenner & Block further underscores the importance of defending constitutional principles and the independence of the legal profession. This move undoubtedly strengthens Jenner & Block's litigation and white collar practices, while simultaneously leaving a void at Paul Weiss, prompting reflection on the firm's future direction. The legal world will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold.

Tags: Paul Weiss, Damian Williams, Jenner Block, Law firm, US attorney, Litigation, White collar, Executive order, Trump, Legal news

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/business/paul-weiss-trump-law-firms-damian-williams.html