There are not only associates becoming oriented toward taking on the role of change-agents.
That confident activism has also come to law schools. In a sense that mirrors the dynamics of the late 1960s/early 1970s counterculture.
Back then, even careerist-focused students in professional schools and graduate programs went out there, protested and often suffered consequences. Regarding the latter, I lost a part-time position at the University of Michigan (later, was reinstated).
But, as we said: The cause was worth it. In addition to being part of generating what we perceived as positive change, we picked up skills in advocacy. Later, preparing communications for that type of outreach was to be my career path.
That same mindset could be taking over segments of law students.
Bloomberg Law reports:
"Gibson Dunn & Crutcher should set an ethical standard for representing fossil fuel companies, a student law group [Law Students for Climate Change] said Wednesday, citing the firm’s work on the Dakota Access Pipeline."
In addition, the Law Students for Climate Change, with members from 50 law schools, objected to Gibson Dunn's having Chevron on its client list because of its defense work associated with Ecuador.
The shade thrown on Gibson is not an aberration.
Last October, law students, reports Law.com, had protested in front of Paul Weiss' Manhattan headquarters for its representation of Exxon. That energy corporation has been perceived as a factor in climate change.
What is on a law firm's client list and how that law firm goes about its work for that client are not new, of course, as issues for push-back.
It could be conjectured that one-time litigation powerhouse Boies Schiller began on its downward trajectory when its co-founder David Boies took on the Harvey Weinstein defense. The New Yorker article by Ronan Farrow was a reputation-killer. That was 2017. Now, it's primarily negative news about Boies Schiller which media outlets cover.
Outside pressure on law firms can become the game-changer of 2021 and beyond. Their branding is being co-created by third parties. Not only their own marketing and public relations functions which broadcast wins, lateral hiring and scaling are in charge of their reputations.
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