• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'

2

Former VP Kamala Harris says she went through a nine-hour interview to land the job—but she couldn’t escape ‘gold medal depression’ even when she won

3

NBC’s Tom Llamas climbed from 15-year-old intern to the top anchor chair—and still isn’t satisfied: ‘If you're not growing, you're dying'

1

Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'

2

Former VP Kamala Harris says she went through a nine-hour interview to land the job—but she couldn’t escape ‘gold medal depression’ even when she won

3

NBC’s Tom Llamas climbed from 15-year-old intern to the top anchor chair—and still isn’t satisfied: ‘If you're not growing, you're dying'
NewslettersFortune CHRO

Why one associate at a major law firm quit over its deal with Trump

Brit Morse
By
Brit Morse
Brit Morse
Leadership Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
Brit Morse
By
Brit Morse
Brit Morse
Leadership Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 5, 2025, 7:39 AM ET
Rachel Cohen, a third-year law associate, resigned over a deal she says her high-powered law firm Skadden Law reached with the Trump administration for free legal work supporting the president's agenda.
Associates at some major law firms are quitting their high-paying jobs in response to their deals with the Trump administration. Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Good morning!

Recommended Video

Over the last few months, the president has taken aim at major law firms around the U.S. 

The president has accused these firms of things like “undermining democratic elections,” and his EEOC has sent letters spelling out “concerns” around their DEI practices. Notably, the firms under scrutiny have been at odds with Trump in the past or worked for Democrats. 

As a result, many firms have agreed to offer free legal services to the president. Nine firms have pledged a total of $940 million in free legal work thus far. 

But not all the associates at these firms are thrilled with those arrangements. Rachel Cohen, for example, quit Skadden Arps in March after the firm announced it would commit at least $100 million in pro bono legal work for causes the Trump administration supports. 

“I felt the firm was on the wrong side of history,” she says. 

She’s not alone. More than 80 alumni from Skadden sent a letter to the firm’s executive partner, Jeremy London, calling the firm’s decision “outrageous and self-interested.” Some student groups, such as one at Georgetown Law School, are canceling networking events with Skadden over similar concerns. Skadden did not respond to Fortune’s requests for comment.

Some other law firms targeted by Trump, like Susman Godfrey, are pushing back on the administration. But Cohen tells Fortune she’s afraid that not enough are willing to do so, and that the result will be an erosion of the law and the sanctity of the judicial system.

“It seems like the country is moving towards kangaroo courts, and I’m certainly not going to commit myself to the practice of law as a full-time job until I see how things unfold,” she says.

Read more about the conflict between Trump and major law firms here.

Brit Morse
brit.morse@fortune.com

Around the Table

A round-up of the most important HR headlines.

The most recent jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides the first real data since Trump’s tariff announcements. Wall Street Journal

Despite layoffs and stock market volatility, some U.S. automakers applaud Trump’s vast tariff plans. Bloomberg

Goldman Sachs is changing one of its most prominent diversity programs and removing references to race. Wall Street Journal

Watercooler

Everything you need to know from Fortune.

Factory futures? U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick says Gen Z should gear up for factory gigs because they are the “great jobs of the future.” —Emma Burleigh

Declining work ethic. Close to half of Japan’s workforce admits to quiet quitting as workplace issues mount in the country. —Kristen Parisi and HR Brew

Tariff volatility. Here’s why the CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates says so many top executives are making countless trips to Washington right now. —Sara Braun

This is the web version of Fortune CHRO, a newsletter focusing on helping HR executives navigate the needs of the workplace. Sign up to get it delivered free to your inbox.
About the Author
Brit Morse
By Brit MorseLeadership Reporter
LinkedIn icon

Brit Morse is a former Leadership reporter at Fortune, covering workplace trends and the C-suite. She also writes CHRO Daily, Fortune’s flagship newsletter for HR professionals and corporate leaders.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Newsletters

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Newsletters

The WNBA turns 30—and women’s basketball is dreaming bigger than ever
NewslettersMPW Daily
The WNBA turns 30—and women’s basketball is dreaming bigger than ever
By Emma HinchliffeJune 22, 2026
3 hours ago
Three coworkers sit around a computer.
NewslettersFortune Workplace Innovation
The executive assistant role isn’t dying. It’s getting promoted
By Kristin StollerJune 22, 2026
5 hours ago
Crypto’s most controversial governance idea is making a comeback
NewslettersFortune Crypto
Crypto’s most controversial governance idea is making a comeback
By Ben WeissJune 22, 2026
7 hours ago
Why Temasek’s CFO is moving into a new power role
NewslettersCFO Daily
Why Temasek’s CFO is moving into a new power role
By Angelica AngJune 22, 2026
7 hours ago
Exclusive: Index Ventures, Union Square Ventures back trading app Fomo at $550 million valuation
NewslettersTerm Sheet
Exclusive: Index Ventures, Union Square Ventures back trading app Fomo at $550 million valuation
By Ben WeissJune 22, 2026
7 hours ago
Brian Niccol photographed at Chipotle's Cultivate Center in Irvine, CA on February 27, 2023.
C-SuiteNext to Lead
AI is turning CMOs into some of the most powerful executives in business
By Ruth UmohJune 22, 2026
7 hours ago

Most Popular

Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'
Success
Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'
By Sydney LakeJune 21, 2026
1 day ago
Former VP Kamala Harris says she went through a nine-hour interview to land the job—but she couldn’t escape ‘gold medal depression’ even when she won
Success
Former VP Kamala Harris says she went through a nine-hour interview to land the job—but she couldn’t escape ‘gold medal depression’ even when she won
By Emma BurleighJune 21, 2026
1 day ago
NBC’s Tom Llamas climbed from 15-year-old intern to the top anchor chair—and still isn’t satisfied: ‘If you're not growing, you're dying'
Success
NBC’s Tom Llamas climbed from 15-year-old intern to the top anchor chair—and still isn’t satisfied: ‘If you're not growing, you're dying'
By Preston ForeJune 21, 2026
1 day ago
'I literally was crying last night because I’m nervous about what I’m going to find out': a record 51% of Americans aren't 'cost secure' on health
Health
'I literally was crying last night because I’m nervous about what I’m going to find out': a record 51% of Americans aren't 'cost secure' on health
By Ali Swenson, Amelia Thomson-Deveaux and The Associated PressJune 20, 2026
2 days ago
Tenzin Seldon: The GLP-1 boom is the biggest climate story no one is pricing in
Commentary
Tenzin Seldon: The GLP-1 boom is the biggest climate story no one is pricing in
By Tenzin SeldonJune 21, 2026
1 day ago
Ezekiel Emanuel: My father lived into his 90s. He understood something many successful men miss
Commentary
Ezekiel Emanuel: My father lived into his 90s. He understood something many successful men miss
By Ezekiel J. EmanuelJune 21, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.