You Won Your Gun Case. You’re Fired.

Wall Street Journal ^ | June 23, 2022 | The Editorial Board

[jdege]

Kirkland & Ellis tells Paul Clement and a partner to dump their Second Amendment clients. They refuse and resign.

A 6-3 victory at the Supreme Court vindicating a constitutional right is usually cause for congratulations, but not these days at Kirkland & Ellis, the giant white-shoe law firm. The firm has rewarded partner Paul Clement for his triumph Thursday in the big New York gun-rights case (see nearby) by telling him to drop his gun clients or leave the firm.

As Mr. Clement and his litigation partner, Erin Murphy, explain nearby, they’re leaving the firm rather than dump their clients. That’s the honorable and ethical decision.

[Allegra]

I wish Paul Clement and Erin Murphy enormous success.

[lurk]

So they go off on their own and become giants in that specialty. Win win.

[jdege]

If you can explain to me how to edit it, I’ll fix it.

[JGPhila]

The most telling point is one by a commentator who wrote that K & E took on the case and no doubt charged a substantial fee for the representation. An attorney of Clement’s stature does not come cheaply. When an attorney takes on a client, the principled ones will assure that client that while no outcome can be promised, the attorney will be a vigorous and effective advocate. In this case, Clement and Murphy not only delivered on such a promise but won the case. It seems to me K & E forgot those commitments but probably did not forget how to bill.

[moovova]

Ignore the whining Karens. This article was a huge deal. Thanks for posting.

[kenmcg]

Clement is one of the finest lawyers in the country he’ll do fine.

[usconservative]

The firm’s demands on the lawyers are an admission (IMO) that it NEVER intended to faithfully represent the client. IOW, they EXPECTED to lose and get paid a hefty sum while doing it.

If I were a betting man, I'd bet the above is exactly, if not damn' close to the legal rationale that'll be used to sue Kirkland & Ellis and result in a huge victory for the attorneys that departed.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

A lawyer does the right thing?

I am in shock.

[Honest Nigerian]

Fire a partner? - read the partnership agreement. It is going to be stated clearly how this is done.

[JimRed]

Both are de humanizing and oppressive agendas for wholesale, totalitarian control of people and BY governments!

[ridesthemiles]

Their NEW firm-—partners of each other-—will do very well.

[Blueflag]

No worries. I was just trying to see the link to the WaPo.

[SuperLuminal]

Finding an honorable lawyer is like finding a “tasty” rabid rat...