Four high-profile litigators are departing powerhouse law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, just weeks after the firm finalized a controversial settlement with the Trump administration over its past legal work.
The exits mark a significant shift in the firm’s litigation bench and may signal broader tensions within elite law firms navigating political pressure.
According to people with direct knowledge of the matter, Karen Dunn, co-chair of the firm’s litigation department; Jeannie Rhee, a former senior member of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team; Bill Isaacson; and Jessica Phillips are leaving to launch a new law firm. All four are respected trial attorneys with deep experience in high-stakes commercial, political, and constitutional litigation.
The departures come after Paul Weiss became the first major firm to reach a settlement with the Trump administration, agreeing to align certain legal services with administration priorities — a deal that drew concern from legal ethics experts and the broader bar. While some of the departing attorneys had privately expressed support for the deal, forming their own firm is expected to give them more latitude to represent clients in litigation that challenges the government.
In a statement, Paul Weiss spokesperson Laura Van Drie acknowledged the group’s exit:
“Paul Weiss is grateful to Bill, Jeannie, Jessica and Karen for their many contributions. We wish them well in all their future endeavors.”
Dunn has long been recognized for her political acumen, having served as a debate coach for Democratic candidates, most recently Kamala Harris during her 2024 debate with Trump. She also led a \$25 million federal lawsuit against the organizers of the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Jeannie Rhee played a key role in the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Together with Isaacson and Phillips, the group has also represented major corporate clients including Apple Inc., Oracle Corp., and Meta (formerly Facebook).
The Paul Weiss agreement is one of several struck between the Trump administration and elite law firms — including Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins — in an effort to settle potential executive orders targeting firms over their representation of progressive causes, pro bono work, or clients viewed as adversarial to the administration. Collectively, the firms have reportedly pledged over $1 billion in legal services and made various public commitments to avoid litigation deemed hostile to government interests.
The legal community remains divided over the settlements. While some firms have complied, others have fought back in court. Most notably, on Friday, a federal judge permanently blocked Executive Order 14246, which had targeted Jenner & Block LLP in a similar fashion. The court found the order unconstitutional and a violation of the First Amendment.
The new firm to be formed by the departing Paul Weiss partners is expected to maintain a strong litigation focus, potentially becoming a prominent voice in high-profile, politically sensitive legal matters.
