As the Trump administration continues to go after major law firms, Jen Rubin interviews Rachel Cohen, an associate at Skadden LLP who recently posted a viral resignation letter on LinkedIn. In her letter, Rachel outlines her grievances towards the firm’s lack of response to Trump’s attacks.
Please advise me on what is the best way to help Attorney Cohen with this so very important task ahead of her. Is there a nonprofit to give money to? Is there some way to help the attorneys that are joining her fight. What is the best way? I am a retired inactive attorney who practiced in Family law, and I am appalled at the Paul Weiss decision, along with others, to fold against trump's intimidation. I would like to contribute, not for myself, as my time on this earth is limited, but for my children and those who come after them. Who could want a law firm that would put aside the rule of law and principle for the short term gain of more billable hours and profit.
This is the embodiment of trump's technique to divide and conquer and negotiate with the hammer of the federal government's power in his lawlessness.
What an example in courage attorney Rachael Cohen is!!!
Thank you for asking! Given your positioning I think the best way for you and other retired attorneys to help is to get comfortable with immigration law and prepare to represent people if firms pull back. There are people who will die if we don't.
To other attorneys reading, the immigration point is also true, but: if you are an associate at a firm - especially one on the EEOC list - I am urging organization of recruiting/interviewing strikes until there's a satisfactory (refusal to) answer. If you are a public interest lawyer, you're already doing the thing and don't need my direction!
As a 92.5 year old retired attorney, a former president of my County Bar Assn. and a former Assistant D.A., YOU MAKE ME VERY PROUD of you and our profession. Thank you for what you are doing!
My father was a lawyer. I am a retired buyer who knows right from wrong. You are right, Rachel. America is in big trouble.
Our country has been taken over by an autocratic Fascist régime. The country needs to know now those firms that will be standing tall for democracy and those who will not. We need to cut to the chase. All America needs to know who they are doing business with and who they are giving their money to.
We need that list NOW!
Again, my most sincere thanks and a crisp salute to you, Rachel! You make America proud.
Idaho has a great program for retired attorneys known as “Emeritus” status. Pro bono work for Idaho Legal Aid, Volunteer Lawyers, or similar organizations. Good luck .Wonderful to see this thread!!
Can any Weiss client now believe they will be represented well if any of their interests or views differs from that of the Trump administration? Resistance to intimidation is the only path for a law firm to retain its credibility and, thus, its long term viability.
My thoughts precisely. These lawyers aren’t smart enough to defend themselves from what is unquestionably unethical and almost certainly illegal actions. Worse, they think that caving is the best solution. Why would I ever think they’d be competent in advocating for me?
So you have a 3rd party Administration,Trump 2.0, intervening in the attorney client relationship, driving the scope, legal decisions & breaching the ethical duties lawyers owe to clients & the courts.
The WEISS 'Big Law' firm is destroying itself. "Good morning Your Honor I represent ABC Corp, Donald J Trump, J.D. Vance, Pam Bondi & Steve Miller".
Why not go full Lewis Carroll & have defendants sentenced before trials? Well both Alice & Rachel know better -- much better.
The fact that Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche are permitting themselves to participate in such a government proves they have lost their way as lawyers. I applaud Rachel Cohen.
I live in Florida. Bondi never knew the way to proper practice as an attorney. She has this job because Matt Gaetz imploded and she looked the other way when Trump University stole hundreds of thousands from gullible people.
Thank you so much Rachel Cohen for standing up and doing the right thing and defending the rule of law! Your help in fighting against authoritarianism in America will be felt!
Rachel and Jen, please keep this information in the news consistently because they will hear you and hopefully more lawyers individually come forward and speak up too. Substack seems to be the perfect platform and Jen Rubin is the best journalist to reach the right people.
I know you’re being a little contrarian here, and so I agree with you that it makes so much sense that it is women who are standing at most publicly to DT
Smart, thoughtful, BRAVE Attorney Cohen. Clear articulation of the process. Best wishes to her. " In the long run it will depend on if we have a country". We stand with you.
I am heartened by people like Rachel Cohen willing to stand up against the authoritarian nature and actions of this administration. She and others like her are examples of courage and principle that everyone should follow.
Wow. I’m not surprised she is overwhelmed by opportunities. What a thoughtful well spoken young woman, already leading in a critical fight. I look forward to hearing more from Ms. Cohen.
Thank you so much for your interview of this very brave young woman. I am an old woman and have seen a lot but this is the scariest time in history through which I have lived. I fear for my children and grandchildren
Please advise me on what is the best way to help Attorney Cohen with this so very important task ahead of her. Is there a nonprofit to give money to? Is there some way to help the attorneys that are joining her fight. What is the best way? I am a retired inactive attorney who practiced in Family law, and I am appalled at the Paul Weiss decision, along with others, to fold against trump's intimidation. I would like to contribute, not for myself, as my time on this earth is limited, but for my children and those who come after them. Who could want a law firm that would put aside the rule of law and principle for the short term gain of more billable hours and profit.
This is the embodiment of trump's technique to divide and conquer and negotiate with the hammer of the federal government's power in his lawlessness.
What an example in courage attorney Rachael Cohen is!!!
Thank you for asking! Given your positioning I think the best way for you and other retired attorneys to help is to get comfortable with immigration law and prepare to represent people if firms pull back. There are people who will die if we don't.
To other attorneys reading, the immigration point is also true, but: if you are an associate at a firm - especially one on the EEOC list - I am urging organization of recruiting/interviewing strikes until there's a satisfactory (refusal to) answer. If you are a public interest lawyer, you're already doing the thing and don't need my direction!
As a 92.5 year old retired attorney, a former president of my County Bar Assn. and a former Assistant D.A., YOU MAKE ME VERY PROUD of you and our profession. Thank you for what you are doing!
My father was a lawyer. I am a retired buyer who knows right from wrong. You are right, Rachel. America is in big trouble.
Our country has been taken over by an autocratic Fascist régime. The country needs to know now those firms that will be standing tall for democracy and those who will not. We need to cut to the chase. All America needs to know who they are doing business with and who they are giving their money to.
We need that list NOW!
Again, my most sincere thanks and a crisp salute to you, Rachel! You make America proud.
What an example in courage you are, Troy Anderson!!
Idaho has a great program for retired attorneys known as “Emeritus” status. Pro bono work for Idaho Legal Aid, Volunteer Lawyers, or similar organizations. Good luck .Wonderful to see this thread!!
Insurance is paid for emeritus attorneys.
Rachel, Thank you. You are an amazing woman and are incredibly articulate. As a non-attorney how can I help you?
Gretchen Forsyth
Can any Weiss client now believe they will be represented well if any of their interests or views differs from that of the Trump administration? Resistance to intimidation is the only path for a law firm to retain its credibility and, thus, its long term viability.
My thoughts precisely. These lawyers aren’t smart enough to defend themselves from what is unquestionably unethical and almost certainly illegal actions. Worse, they think that caving is the best solution. Why would I ever think they’d be competent in advocating for me?
So you have a 3rd party Administration,Trump 2.0, intervening in the attorney client relationship, driving the scope, legal decisions & breaching the ethical duties lawyers owe to clients & the courts.
The WEISS 'Big Law' firm is destroying itself. "Good morning Your Honor I represent ABC Corp, Donald J Trump, J.D. Vance, Pam Bondi & Steve Miller".
Why not go full Lewis Carroll & have defendants sentenced before trials? Well both Alice & Rachel know better -- much better.
Amen to that!
Why would anyone hire representation from a firm that capitulates to the whims and threats from a convicted felon?!
Bad optics! Even if the firm is placating him, to get him off their backs.
Outstanding. Thank you Jen for introducing us to Attorney Cohen.
Rachel, you are a great example of drawing a line to clarify your principles and the constitutional principles. Thank you.
Rachel Cohen is GREAT! Articulate, courageous, frank. Fantastic.
The fact that Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche are permitting themselves to participate in such a government proves they have lost their way as lawyers. I applaud Rachel Cohen.
It is stunning how Rachel compares in terms of quality, intelligence and professionalism to Blanche and Bondi.
Pam Bondi has never in her life done the right thing. Remember the "chads" in the 2000 Florida vote counting?
Bondi wasn’t the Attorney General then. She came in 2010 the same time that Rick Scott became Governor.
Oh, thanks for the correction. Somehow I have a ditzy blonde in mind when I think about that disaster. I wonder why?
I live in Florida. Bondi never knew the way to proper practice as an attorney. She has this job because Matt Gaetz imploded and she looked the other way when Trump University stole hundreds of thousands from gullible people.
Thank you so much Rachel Cohen for standing up and doing the right thing and defending the rule of law! Your help in fighting against authoritarianism in America will be felt!
Rachel and Jen, please keep this information in the news consistently because they will hear you and hopefully more lawyers individually come forward and speak up too. Substack seems to be the perfect platform and Jen Rubin is the best journalist to reach the right people.
Thank you for having Rachel on, she’s a force for good!!
Isn't it funny that the people who stand up most publicly to Donald are....women?
I know you’re being a little contrarian here, and so I agree with you that it makes so much sense that it is women who are standing at most publicly to DT
!!!!! :)
Smart, thoughtful, BRAVE Attorney Cohen. Clear articulation of the process. Best wishes to her. " In the long run it will depend on if we have a country". We stand with you.
I am heartened by people like Rachel Cohen willing to stand up against the authoritarian nature and actions of this administration. She and others like her are examples of courage and principle that everyone should follow.
Excellent interview. I am deeply grateful for the wisdom I have gained through this conversation and mostly the courage shown.
Wow. I’m not surprised she is overwhelmed by opportunities. What a thoughtful well spoken young woman, already leading in a critical fight. I look forward to hearing more from Ms. Cohen.
Wow! Spectacular courage. I’m grateful for Rachel’s leadership.
Thank you so much for your interview of this very brave young woman. I am an old woman and have seen a lot but this is the scariest time in history through which I have lived. I fear for my children and grandchildren