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Another Skadden attorney has resigned in protest, citing the law firm's decision to strike a deal with Trump.
Anna Bower
@annabower.bsky.social
Follow
NEW: Another Skadden attorney has resigned in protest, citing the law firm’s decision to strike a deal with Trump.
“Skadden is on the wrong side of history. I could no longer stay knowing that someday I would have to explain why I stayed,” the lawyer, Thomas Sipp, wrote in his resignation letter.
Resignation
Dear colleagues and friends,
I just spoke to many of you. Thank you for listening. I am writing to let you know that I am leaving this firm.
There was a time when my employment here was so unlikely. For much of my early childhood, I was not a good student. I struggled to focus in class and take anything (other than my friendships) seriously.
But even then, there was one subject I loved: history. I thought it was so wonderful to learn about all that came before me, about the triumphs and tragedies, about the moments of individual bravery and collective complacency. And I loved recognizing the patterns in the stories across time and space. This rhyming nature of history informed and continues to inform my deeply held belief-that self-evident truth-that all humans are created equal. And that our individual differences are the product of our times and circumstances, and that who we are is shaped by what we choose to do.
While learning about these stories, many of them avoidable tragedies, I would often imagine myself faced with the same dilemmas. What would I do if I was there? Would I do the right thing? It always felt like there was no way to know.
ALT
<
297
Resignation
く
I believe, as I know many of you do, that what the current presidential administration is doing is wrong. That we are sliding into an autocracy where those in power are above the rule of law. Skadden's agreement with the Trump administration sent our country deeper down this descent.
I am sure some of you will question my decision and chalk it up to me being a young attorney too eager to throw his career away. I am sure there will also be those of you who will think of me as naïve.
But there was a time when I sincerely believed that this place was committed to its true pro bono causes and diversity initiatives, even though these things may not always be lucrative, because it believed these things would make the world, and this firm, a better place. Having held itself out as a champion for these values, for this firm to turn its back on them so suddenly and so easily was shameful. I am embarrassed to work here. How can Skadden represent others when it can't even stand up for itself?
ALT
It has also become clear to me that this firm no longer tolerates open discourse. Ahead of Friday's announcement, the firm took preemptive action to silence critics by covertly limiting our access to firmwide distribution lists. This was a clear effort to silence criticism of the firm's decision.
The consequences of Skadden's agreement with the Trump administration go beyond our own firm. It legitimized behavior that threatens our democracy.
As lawyers, we have an obligation to uphold the rule of law. This responsibility does not end when profits are threatened by a burgeoning autocracy.
I am making this decision to leave even though I was happy here. I have made so many great friends at this firm and learned from many great mentors.
Thank you so much, I will miss you all dearly. And I am making this decision knowing that not everyone can leave as readily as I can, that many of you have families who depend on the income you earn here—I do not mean to shame you into leaving, only to explain my decision.
Skadden is on the wrong side of history. I could no longer stay knowing that someday I would have to explain why I stayed.
Sincerely,
Thomas Sipp
ALT
April 1, 2025 at 12:08 PM
@annabower.bsky.social
Follow
NEW: Another Skadden attorney has resigned in protest, citing the law firm’s decision to strike a deal with Trump.
“Skadden is on the wrong side of history. I could no longer stay knowing that someday I would have to explain why I stayed,” the lawyer, Thomas Sipp, wrote in his resignation letter.
Resignation
Dear colleagues and friends,
I just spoke to many of you. Thank you for listening. I am writing to let you know that I am leaving this firm.
There was a time when my employment here was so unlikely. For much of my early childhood, I was not a good student. I struggled to focus in class and take anything (other than my friendships) seriously.
But even then, there was one subject I loved: history. I thought it was so wonderful to learn about all that came before me, about the triumphs and tragedies, about the moments of individual bravery and collective complacency. And I loved recognizing the patterns in the stories across time and space. This rhyming nature of history informed and continues to inform my deeply held belief-that self-evident truth-that all humans are created equal. And that our individual differences are the product of our times and circumstances, and that who we are is shaped by what we choose to do.
While learning about these stories, many of them avoidable tragedies, I would often imagine myself faced with the same dilemmas. What would I do if I was there? Would I do the right thing? It always felt like there was no way to know.
ALT
<
297
Resignation
く
I believe, as I know many of you do, that what the current presidential administration is doing is wrong. That we are sliding into an autocracy where those in power are above the rule of law. Skadden's agreement with the Trump administration sent our country deeper down this descent.
I am sure some of you will question my decision and chalk it up to me being a young attorney too eager to throw his career away. I am sure there will also be those of you who will think of me as naïve.
But there was a time when I sincerely believed that this place was committed to its true pro bono causes and diversity initiatives, even though these things may not always be lucrative, because it believed these things would make the world, and this firm, a better place. Having held itself out as a champion for these values, for this firm to turn its back on them so suddenly and so easily was shameful. I am embarrassed to work here. How can Skadden represent others when it can't even stand up for itself?
ALT
It has also become clear to me that this firm no longer tolerates open discourse. Ahead of Friday's announcement, the firm took preemptive action to silence critics by covertly limiting our access to firmwide distribution lists. This was a clear effort to silence criticism of the firm's decision.
The consequences of Skadden's agreement with the Trump administration go beyond our own firm. It legitimized behavior that threatens our democracy.
As lawyers, we have an obligation to uphold the rule of law. This responsibility does not end when profits are threatened by a burgeoning autocracy.
I am making this decision to leave even though I was happy here. I have made so many great friends at this firm and learned from many great mentors.
Thank you so much, I will miss you all dearly. And I am making this decision knowing that not everyone can leave as readily as I can, that many of you have families who depend on the income you earn here—I do not mean to shame you into leaving, only to explain my decision.
Skadden is on the wrong side of history. I could no longer stay knowing that someday I would have to explain why I stayed.
Sincerely,
Thomas Sipp
ALT
April 1, 2025 at 12:08 PM
https://bsky.app/profile/annabower.bsky.social/post/3llrazk2ol222
Anna Bower
@annabower.bsky.social
Follow
I’m told that Thomas Sipp announced his intention to resign at the end of a Skadden town hall event for his litigation group.
Colleagues “applauded him out of the room,” according to a source familiar.
bsky.app/profile/anna...
Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social
·
2h
NEW: Another Skadden attorney has resigned in protest, citing the law firm’s decision to strike a deal with Trump.
“Skadden is on the wrong side of history. I could no longer stay knowing that someday I would have to explain why I stayed,” the lawyer, Thomas Sipp, wrote in his resignation letter.
Resignation
Dear colleagues and friends,
I just spoke to many of you. Thank you for listening. I am writing to let you know that I am leaving this firm.
There was a time when my employment here was so unlikely. For much of my early childhood, I was not a good student. I struggled to focus in class and take anything (other than my friendships) seriously.
But even then, there was one subject I loved: history. I thought it was so wonderful to learn about all that came before me, about the triumphs and tragedies, about the moments of individual bravery and collective complacency. And I loved recognizing the patterns in the stories across time and space. This rhyming nature of history informed and continues to inform my deeply held belief-that self-evident truth-that all humans are created equal. And that our individual differences are the product of our times and circumstances, and that who we are is shaped by what we choose to do.
While learning about these stories, many of them avoidable tragedies, I would often imagine myself faced with the same dilemmas. What would I do if I was there? Would I do the right thing? It always felt like there was no way to know.
ALT
<
297
Resignation
く
I believe, as I know many of you do, that what the current presidential administration is doing is wrong. That we are sliding into an autocracy where those in power are above the rule of law. Skadden's agreement with the Trump administration sent our country deeper down this descent.
I am sure some of you will question my decision and chalk it up to me being a young attorney too eager to throw his career away. I am sure there will also be those of you who will think of me as naïve.
But there was a time when I sincerely believed that this place was committed to its true pro bono causes and diversity initiatives, even though these things may not always be lucrative, because it believed these things would make the world, and this firm, a better place. Having held itself out as a champion for these values, for this firm to turn its back on them so suddenly and so easily was shameful. I am embarrassed to work here. How can Skadden represent others when it can't even stand up for itself?
ALT
It has also become clear to me that this firm no longer tolerates open discourse. Ahead of Friday's announcement, the firm took preemptive action to silence critics by covertly limiting our access to firmwide distribution lists. This was a clear effort to silence criticism of the firm's decision.
The consequences of Skadden's agreement with the Trump administration go beyond our own firm. It legitimized behavior that threatens our democracy.
As lawyers, we have an obligation to uphold the rule of law. This responsibility does not end when profits are threatened by a burgeoning autocracy.
I am making this decision to leave even though I was happy here. I have made so many great friends at this firm and learned from many great mentors.
Thank you so much, I will miss you all dearly. And I am making this decision knowing that not everyone can leave as readily as I can, that many of you have families who depend on the income you earn here—I do not mean to shame you into leaving, only to explain my decision.
Skadden is on the wrong side of history. I could no longer stay knowing that someday I would have to explain why I stayed.
Sincerely,
Thomas Sipp
ALT
April 1, 2025 at 1:18 PM
@annabower.bsky.social
Follow
I’m told that Thomas Sipp announced his intention to resign at the end of a Skadden town hall event for his litigation group.
Colleagues “applauded him out of the room,” according to a source familiar.
bsky.app/profile/anna...
Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social
·
2h
NEW: Another Skadden attorney has resigned in protest, citing the law firm’s decision to strike a deal with Trump.
“Skadden is on the wrong side of history. I could no longer stay knowing that someday I would have to explain why I stayed,” the lawyer, Thomas Sipp, wrote in his resignation letter.
Resignation
Dear colleagues and friends,
I just spoke to many of you. Thank you for listening. I am writing to let you know that I am leaving this firm.
There was a time when my employment here was so unlikely. For much of my early childhood, I was not a good student. I struggled to focus in class and take anything (other than my friendships) seriously.
But even then, there was one subject I loved: history. I thought it was so wonderful to learn about all that came before me, about the triumphs and tragedies, about the moments of individual bravery and collective complacency. And I loved recognizing the patterns in the stories across time and space. This rhyming nature of history informed and continues to inform my deeply held belief-that self-evident truth-that all humans are created equal. And that our individual differences are the product of our times and circumstances, and that who we are is shaped by what we choose to do.
While learning about these stories, many of them avoidable tragedies, I would often imagine myself faced with the same dilemmas. What would I do if I was there? Would I do the right thing? It always felt like there was no way to know.
ALT
<
297
Resignation
く
I believe, as I know many of you do, that what the current presidential administration is doing is wrong. That we are sliding into an autocracy where those in power are above the rule of law. Skadden's agreement with the Trump administration sent our country deeper down this descent.
I am sure some of you will question my decision and chalk it up to me being a young attorney too eager to throw his career away. I am sure there will also be those of you who will think of me as naïve.
But there was a time when I sincerely believed that this place was committed to its true pro bono causes and diversity initiatives, even though these things may not always be lucrative, because it believed these things would make the world, and this firm, a better place. Having held itself out as a champion for these values, for this firm to turn its back on them so suddenly and so easily was shameful. I am embarrassed to work here. How can Skadden represent others when it can't even stand up for itself?
ALT
It has also become clear to me that this firm no longer tolerates open discourse. Ahead of Friday's announcement, the firm took preemptive action to silence critics by covertly limiting our access to firmwide distribution lists. This was a clear effort to silence criticism of the firm's decision.
The consequences of Skadden's agreement with the Trump administration go beyond our own firm. It legitimized behavior that threatens our democracy.
As lawyers, we have an obligation to uphold the rule of law. This responsibility does not end when profits are threatened by a burgeoning autocracy.
I am making this decision to leave even though I was happy here. I have made so many great friends at this firm and learned from many great mentors.
Thank you so much, I will miss you all dearly. And I am making this decision knowing that not everyone can leave as readily as I can, that many of you have families who depend on the income you earn here—I do not mean to shame you into leaving, only to explain my decision.
Skadden is on the wrong side of history. I could no longer stay knowing that someday I would have to explain why I stayed.
Sincerely,
Thomas Sipp
ALT
April 1, 2025 at 1:18 PM
https://bsky.app/profile/annabower.bsky.social/post/3llrewljcr222
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
