Ed. note: Welcome to our daily Quote of the Day.
A Fish & Richardson summer associate told American Lawyer’s annual Summer Associate Satisfaction Survey that if prominent Biglaw firms had stood together, none would have had to capitulate or face the consequences that followed. The respondent said they were “super disappointed” in firms including Paul Weiss, Latham, and Kirkland, and removed those firms from their list of potential employers.
A summer associate at Cahill Gordon expressed similar dismay, calling it “embarrassing and disheartening” when leading firms appear to back down. They added that clients should expect stronger resolve from their outside counsel.
The survey found roughly two-thirds of summer associates agreed or strongly agreed that the Trump administration posed a challenge to the legal profession’s independence.
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law and has worked there since 2011. She welcomes tips, questions, and feedback and can be reached by email. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.