Rachel Cohen

Rachel Cohen, a former Skadden Arps attorney, left the firm in protest against its dealings with the Trump administration. She shares her dramatic experience of advocating for ethical legal practices against political pressure. The conversation dives into the legal industry's role in upholding the rule of law, the challenges of navigating moral dilemmas in a high-stakes environment, and the tension between financial gains and ethical principles. Cohen's story raises urgent questions about corporate accountability and the need for solidarity among lawyers.

Lori Carr Mims, managing partner at Keker Van Nest & Peters, shares insights on representing asylum seekers while combating the Trump administration's tactics. Investigative reporter Jessica Silver-Greenberg discusses how law firms are pressured under executive orders, raising constitutional alarm. Former associate Rachel Cohen reveals her protest against the collaboration of Skadden with Trump, highlighting internal dissent within firms. Professor Raymond Brescia analyzes the broader implications for democracy and the legal profession's integrity in these trying times.

Rachel Cohen, a former lawyer at the prestigious firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, joins to unpack how major law firms have capitulated to Donald Trump's influence. She discusses Trump's tactics, including threats to weaken their access to federal courts and the significant pro-bono work Skadden handed over to the administration. The conversation also touches on the broader implications for due process and the unsettling relationships between corporate power and political interests, revealing the depths of modern legal challenges in America.