Two Cadwalader Partners Exit Over The Firm’s Capitulation To Donald Trump
The exodus continues. The post Two Cadwalader Partners Exit Over The Firm’s Capitulation To Donald Trump appeared first on Above the Law.
Cadwalader has not been having a great run. The firm found itself in the crosshairs of Donald Trump, threatened with an unconstitutional Executive Order designed to extract a financial penalty. Rather than defend itself and the rule of law, the firm bent a knee to Trump with a deal that pledged $100 million in pro bono payola to whichever causes strike the president’s fancy.
As this was going on, the firm was experiencing normal but noteworthy departures from the firm. But after the deal, it has only gotten worse. Now partners Phara Guberman and Kenneth Breen are bouncing from the firm, and heading to Foley & Lardner. As reported by Bloomberg Law, the exits absolutely are related to the craven deal the form struck with the Trump administration:
The firm’s deal with Trump contributed to the white collar lawyers’ decision to leave, according to the person familiar with the situation. Cadwalder and eight other law firms have pledged $940 million in free legal work in deals with Trump to avoid punitive executive orders like those the president has aimed at other firms.
Guberman and Breen are in the white collar defense, government and internal investigations, and complex commercial litigation business, so it makes sense they want out. Increasingly, clients see the Trump deals as a weakness and are pulling work away from the firms that have demonstrated they are unwilling to take a legal fight to the Trump administration.
A firm spokesperson said, “Cadwalader had a record year in 2024, and 2025 to date has been even stronger, with our financial performance beating last year in every category over the same period.” They continued, “We’ve also added five new lateral partners in the past three months and look forward to continued growth.” Which… okay? But that money doesn’t cover up the stink of capitulation.
Earlier: Cadwalader Feels The Fallout From Cowardly Trump Deal
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
The post Two Cadwalader Partners Exit Over The Firm’s Capitulation To Donald Trump appeared first on Above the Law.
