A rather bizarre coda to yesterday’s big Supreme Court decision.
Paul Clement and Erin Murphy represented the National Rifle Association in the case that struck down New York’s gun permit laws. Almost immediately after the decision was announced, they were ousted from their firm. WSJ (“Winning Lawyers in Supreme Court Gun Case Leave Firm“)
Discord over gun rights erupted within the law firm that secured Thursday’s Second Amendment victory at the Supreme Court, with Kirkland & Ellis LLP announcing shortly after the decision that it would no longer take firearms cases and that it was parting ways with the two star partners who won the case. After a Kirkland news release praising Paul Clement, a former U.S. solicitor general in the George W. Bush administration, and Erin Murphy, the two announced they were opening their own firm.
“Unfortunately, we were given a stark choice: either withdraw from ongoing representations or withdraw from the firm,” Mr. Clement said. “Anyone who knows us and our views regarding professional responsibility and client loyalty knows there was only one course open to us: We could not abandon ongoing representations just because a client’s position is unpopular in some circles.”
Mr. Clement, whose clients include the National Rifle Association, represented its affiliate, the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, in November arguments before the Supreme Court. Ms. Murphy worked on the case with him.
“Paul and Erin have been valued colleagues,” Jon Ballis, chairman of Kirkland’s executive committee, said in a release. “We wish them the best of luck in the future and we look forward to collaborating with them in the future in matters not involving the Second Amendment.”
Kirkland, one of the world’s largest law firms, declined to comment beyond its news release. After recent mass shootings, other Kirkland clients began expressing reservations over the firm’s work for the gun movement, a person familiar with the matter said.
