For Anyone Curious About What You Can Do [Deadline: Friday at 2:00 PM ET]
Hello everyone,
Yesterday, the administration introduced yet another executive order aimed at Jenner and Block. This latest order, while concerning, further indicates the administration’s intent to target more firms, which may encourage our own teams to start voicing their concerns.
Many have expressed interest in how we can urge our firms to publicly oppose these orders, including signing the amicus brief in support of Perkins Coie. As such, I encourage all of you who have a trusted partner (or even a senior associate) to reach out to them by Friday at 2:00 PM ET to share your stance on these orders.
- Quick tip on finding a trusted contact: Check out the LinkedIn profiles of potential contacts. Often, you can see their recent activity, including likes and comments, which might reveal their support for Perkins Coie and other affected firms. This can help you identify partners and senior associates who may be more receptive to your outreach.
Regarding the message itself, I’ve included a template below for those who find it useful, but crafting your own organic message might resonate better. Here are a few additional points to keep in mind:
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You might consider framing your message as a request for advice on how to effectively advocate internally for your firm to publicly support targeted peers. This approach gives your trusted contact a clear action item (to find the right person for you to speak with) while also indicating your position. Essentially, the goal is to (a) signal to a potentially sympathetic partner or senior associate that associates back the idea of taking a stand, and (b) to gather useful insights on how to amplify your voice within the firm.
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Given these objectives, it’s unnecessary to delve into great detail about the risks you associate with these orders in your initial outreach. Partners are likely aware of the implications. Instead, use this opportunity to briefly express associate support for standing with targeted firms while seeking advice on the best internal route to express your views further.
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It could be advantageous to acknowledge the challenging position your firm is in. These unprecedented orders leave no clear precedent for a response, and recognizing the pressure firm leadership faces may make the recipient more willing to guide you on how to communicate your stance effectively. Remember, partners are also navigating their own stress in these discussions. You can still firmly support Perkins, Covington, Jenner and Block, and others impacted by EEOC letters.
Below is the suggested template. However, as mentioned earlier, personalizing it in your own tone may yield better results. From my own experience, similar messages I’ve sent have been met positively.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that many discussions about whether to take a public stand or sign onto the amicus are likely ongoing right now, especially as the administration continues its actions against more firms. Time is of the essence. If we mobilize by Friday at 2:00 PM ET, we can provide timely encouragement to partners and senior associates who may want to advocate for standing with our peer firms.
Proud of everyone standing up for justice, no matter the size of your contribution. Good luck!
Template Message
[Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to reach out because, like many others, I’ve been closely following the recent executive orders targeting our peer firms. I’m hoping you might have some guidance on the best way to internally voice support for [INSERT FIRM] joining the amicus currently being prepared in support of Perkins Coie.
I understand that these executive orders are unprecedented, and there’s no established playbook for our response, so the firm must approach this issue thoughtfully. If there’s anything I can do to assist or if you’d like to discuss further, please let me know.
I really appreciate your help!
One Response
Thank you for this thought-provoking post. It’s inspiring to see so many individuals rallying for justice and supporting our peers in the legal community. Your clear outline of actionable steps provides a great framework for those of us who want to advocate for our firms to take a stand against these troubling executive orders.
I agree that reaching out to trusted contacts within our firms is a crucial move, and I appreciate the suggestion to check LinkedIn for potential allies. It makes sense to approach this with empathy, acknowledging the complexities that our firm leadership faces. This balance between expressing our support and understanding the pressures of their positions is vital.
I also think your proposed message template strikes a nice tone—respectful and open-ended enough to facilitate a constructive dialogue. Whether we choose to use the template or convey our thoughts in our own voice, the key takeaway is to ensure that our support for targeted firms is heard while seeking guidance on how best to advocate within our organizations.
Let’s hope that if enough of us unite our voices, we can encourage our firms to stand in solidarity with Perkins Coie and others. I’ll be sending my message out soon, and I encourage everyone else to do the same before the deadline. Thanks again for your leadership on this issue!