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How Scott Barshay’s Move Helped Reshape Big Law
Law firms are being changed by powerful lawyers moving between firms.
Scott Barshay moved from Cravath to Paul Weiss in 2016.
The article says this move helped show that lawyers can act like free agents.
Barshay reportedly continued making large profits after moving.
He also helped change Paul Weiss and became its chair.
In 2025, Paul Weiss faced an executive order from Donald Trump’s administration.
Barshay helped the firm reach an agreement that included pro bono work for causes approved by the administration.
This happened even though Paul Weiss partners had donated more to Kamala Harris than partners at similar firms had before the 2024 election.
Scott Barshay’s 2016 move from Cravath to Paul Weiss is described as an early sign of a free-agent era for law-firm partners.
The article says Barshay continued generating substantial profits after changing firms.
Barshay has transformed Paul Weiss and now serves as its chair.
The New York Times reported that Barshay helped Paul Weiss reach a deal with Donald Trump’s administration after a March 2025 executive order targeted the firm.
Under the deal, Paul Weiss agreed to perform pro bono work for causes approved by the administration, despite its partners having donated more to Kamala Harris than peers did before the 2024 election.
- Who
- Scott Barshay, Paul Weiss, Donald Trump’s administration, and Paul Weiss partners who had donated to Kamala Harris.
- What
- A prominent partner’s move from Cravath to Paul Weiss is presented as part of a broader shift toward partner free agency and has been linked to Paul Weiss’s transformation and negotiations with the Trump administration.
- Where
- The events concern the major U.S. law firms Cravath and Paul Weiss.
- When
- Barshay moved in 2016; the executive order targeting Paul Weiss was signed in March 2025; the donations mentioned occurred before the 2024 presidential election.
- Why
- The article argues that individual partners can reshape law firms beyond affecting their profits.
Key facts
- Partner
- Scott Barshay
- Move
- From Cravath to Paul Weiss in 2016
- Current role
- Chair of Paul Weiss
- Executive order
- Donald Trump signed an order targeting Paul Weiss in March 2025
- Firm agreement
- Paul Weiss agreed to perform pro bono work for causes approved by the administration
- Political donations
- Before the 2024 election, Paul Weiss partners donated more to Kamala Harris than partners at peer firms did
Sources
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