Latest news with #Weiss
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
California's wild wolf population is howling back
Wild wolves are making a major comeback in California. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed on Tuesday that three new wolf packs have developed in the state: the Ishi pack in eastern Tehama County, the Tunnison pack in central Lassen County and the Ashpan pack in eastern Shasta County. This brings the total number of known wolf packs in California to 10. Amaroq Weiss, a senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, is celebrating the news. 'How wonderful to witness another year of continued growth in California's recovering wolf population,' Weiss said in a news release. 'It's inspiring to watch this renaissance, and we should do everything we can to ensure California's wolves have every chance to thrive.' Confirmation of the new packs is the latest step forward in the decades-long effort to reestablish wolves across the western United States. The gray wolf, native to California, was eradicated by the mid-1920s. Their return began with OR-7, a wolf from Oregon who entered California in late 2011. The first packs were confirmed in Washington and Oregon in 2008, followed by California in 2015. By the end of 2024, wildlife officials counted 75 individual wolf pack territories across the three states. In addition to the three new packs, California is home to the Whaleback pack in Siskiyou County, the Lassen pack, the Diamond pack, the Beyem Seyo pack, the Ice Cave pack, the Harvey pack and the Yowlumni pack, according to the CDFW. The department also noted two smaller groups of two to three wolves in northern California that do not yet qualify as packs. While many people are celebrating the return of wolves to California as a success, there are significant concerns, primarily among ranchers and rural communities, in areas where wolves are re-establishing themselves. 'The wolves are displaying behavior that is atypical,' wrote Lassen County Sheriff John McGarva in a recent letter to CDFW, saying the animals are increasingly encroaching on residential areas and seem to be unfazed by typical deterrents. He said wolves had reportedly killed six calves in the Big Valley area in March. Wolves are currently protected under both the California and federal Endangered Species Acts, underscoring the ongoing commitment to their recovery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Politico
5 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Big Law's big mistake
TIRED OF WINNING — Another law firm — the third so far — scored a resounding legal victory this week against the Trump administration. They were successful because they decided not to capitulate and instead take him to court. Earlier this year, Trump issued an unprecedented series of executive orders that imposed a variety of sanctions — including barring lawyers from the firms from entering federal property — on a number of large law firms. After Trump began his effort, a sharp split among firms emerged. The law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, which was on the receiving end of one of those orders, agreed to provide $40 million worth of pro bono legal services for issues supported by the White House in exchange for Trump rescinding his order and lifting the sanctions against the firm and its lawyers. Eight more firms followed suit, ultimately pledging nearly a billion dollars' worth of similar pro bono services in support of administration causes. Four law firms, however, refused to buckle. They filed lawsuits challenging their respective orders — targeting the orders on First Amendment grounds, among others. On Tuesday, a federal judge in D.C. struck down the executive order against WilmerHale, one of the four prominent firms to fight back. The firm joins two others — Jenner & Block and Perkins Coie — that also successfully pushed back in court. (It is not yet clear whether the Justice Department will appeal.) Meanwhile, a fourth firm, Susman Godfrey, obtained a preliminary victory; a final decision remains outstanding, though the firm's odds are looking better by the day. These developments suggest that we may be seeing a shift in the political and legal dynamics around these deals. When Paul, Weiss entered into the first deal, the firm's chairman, Brad Karp, told lawyers in the firm that he had no choice because the order posed an 'existential' threat to the firm and 'could easily have destroyed' it. This assertion was highly questionable even at the time, but the assessment looks even worse in hindsight. All indications are that WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, Perkins Coie and Susman Godfrey still very much exist — with lawyers, clients, offices and all the rest. (Disclosure: Your correspondent this evening worked at Paul, Weiss years ago.) WilmerHale's victory came on the heels of the announcement from four Paul, Weiss partners on Friday that they were leaving the firm to start their own venture. They include Karen Dunn, a prominent litigator and long-time fixture in Democratic circles who oversaw Kamala Harris's debate prep last year; Jeannie Rhee, a former federal prosecutor who worked on special counsel Robert Mueller's Trump-Russia investigation; and William Isaacson, another prominent trial lawyer. Exactly why they left is not clear. According to reporting from The New York Times, Dunn supported the decision to strike a deal with Trump and in fact helped rally support among the partnership. She apparently shares the blame for a deal that may have run afoul of the law in multiple serious ways and that paved the way for others to cave. Since then, however, Paul, Weiss has become a pariah of sorts in the eyes of the Democratic Party — a symbol of elite capitulation in the age of Trump 2.0. It's a remarkable fall from grace both for the firm as an institution, once seen as a largely reliable supporter of Democrats and home to quite a few former Democratic administration lawyers, and for Karp personally, a major fundraiser for the party who once styled himself as a power broker of sorts at the intersection of Manhattan's law and finance worlds. Seen against that backdrop, Dunn's departure may partly reflect the atmosphere among Democrats in Washington these days. Dunn was once widely seen within Paul, Weiss as a potential successor to Karp as the head of the firm, so her decision to leave was surprising — the job is worth tens of millions of dollars a year — and is also likely to put a small dent in the firm's revenue. But for a lawyer who wants to remain a political player in Democratic circles, the Paul, Weiss brand — along with the brands of the other firms that surrendered to Trump — may no longer be helpful. In fact, it may be a hindrance to professional advancement within the party and to the sorts of jobs — like White House counsel or a senior position in the Justice Department — that many of the most prominent Democratic lawyers aspire to hold. The ongoing fallout for the settling firms now appears to present a cautionary tale: They may have succeeded in taking the easy way out and keeping their very profitable businesses humming along, but memories in Washington are long. Even early into his second term, the firms that are fighting Trump in court are winning. Welcome to POLITICO Nightly. Reach out with news, tips and ideas at nightly@ Or contact tonight's author at akhardori@ What'd I Miss? — Trump gives Putin 2 weeks for action on Ukraine as relationship frays: Donald Trump says American efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine to peace are going 'fine,' but appears cognizant that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be only pretending to engage in good faith. 'We'll find out whether or not he's tapping us along or not and if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently but it will take about a week and a half to two weeks,' the U.S. president said today in response to reporters' questions at the White House. 'They seem to want to do something, but until the document is signed I can't tell you. Nobody can.' — Trump weighs pardons of people convicted for Whitmer's 2020 kidnapping plot: President Donald Trump said today that he is considering pardons for the people involved in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020. Trump insinuated that the trial had not been handled correctly by the legal system while taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office, describing it as potentially being a 'railroad job.' The kidnapping plot against the Michigan Democrat rattled the final weeks of the 2020 election and marked an incident of anti-government extremism that prosecutors said was intended to ignite a civil war. The leaders, Barry Croft Jr. and Adam Fox, were convicted in 2022 of conspiring to abduct the Democratic governor from her vacation home. — Trump slams a new Wall Street acronym referring to his reversals on tariffs: Wall Street has a new shorthand about President Donald Trump — and he's not happy about it. Traders have reportedly come up with the acronym TACO, which stands for 'Trump always chickens out,' to describe the tumultuous trade environment created by the president's habit of threatening to impose tariffs on countries, and then back off at the last moment. He bristled when asked about it today in an Oval Office press conference. 'Don't ever say what you say, that's a nasty question,' Trump told a journalist who asked for his response to the acronym. 'To me that's the nastiest question.' Trump rejected the idea that his reversals on tariffs amounted to him backing down, saying that usually receives a different critique. — Rubio targets foreign nationals who he alleges police Americans' social media posts: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced today a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign officials who he says are complicit in censoring what Americans say online. 'For too long, Americans have been fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights,' Rubio wrote on X. 'Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans. Free speech is essential to the American way of life — a birthright over which foreign governments have no authority.' AROUND THE WORLD CHINA HACK — The Czech government today condemned China for carrying out a cyberattack against its foreign ministry exposing thousands of unclassified emails. Czechia said that the Chinese state-sponsored group Advanced Persistent Threat 31 (APT31) targeted the foreign ministry from 2022 — the year the country held the rotating EU presidency — and was able to read unclassified emails sent between embassies and EU institutions. The Czech foreign minister, Jan Lipavský, said he would summon the Chinese ambassador immediately to explain the findings and tell him this would damage the countries' bilateral relations. 'With today's move, we have exposed China, which has long been working to undermine our resilience and democracy,' Lipavský said. 'Through cyberattacks, information manipulation, and propaganda, it interferes in our society — and we must defend ourselves against that.' It is the first time the Czech government has attributed a national cyberattack to a state-backed actor. BLACK SEA STRATEGY — The EU unveiled a new Black Sea strategy today that will allow the region to better transport heavy military gear as the Russian threat looms over Eastern Europe. 'Security in the Black Sea is vital also to European security,' EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas said at a press conference, adding that it is currently being undermined by the Kremlin's all-out war in Ukraine and hybrid attacks on maritime infrastructure. The strategy is also a response to 'geopolitical challenges' in a world where 'dependencies are being weaponized,' said Marta Kos, commissioner for EU enlargement. The Black Sea is a bridge to the South Caucasus and Central Asia, and a vital artery for energy and food trade, she said. The Black Sea region has been destabilized by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as the large-scale use of mines and military actions hindered the flow of goods. Separately, Eastern European countries fear further aggression from Moscow beyond Ukraine, and want to ramp up their defensive capabilities. Nightly Number RADAR SWEEP LAST OF ITS KIND — In Wheeling, West Virginia, at the Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino & Racetrack, greyhounds are still racing. It's an outdated practice — so much so that there are only two racetracks of its kind left in the country, and the number of races the track puts on have dropped off significantly. It's also one that animal rights activists have consistently railed against. But, like many other rickety old institutions, it still has a vibrant culture that doesn't want to let go of their hobby just yet. The unassuming, rundown track is the scene for a story about American culture and what it means to be at the end of something. Michelle Orange writes for Oxford American. Parting Image Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Top lawyers exit Paul, Weiss law firm after Trump deal
Attorneys Karen Dunn, left, and Jeannie Rhee, two of the four top partners who have announced that they are leaving the Paul Weiss law firm (Image Credit: NYT News Service) A leading Democratic attorney and three senior partners are departing from Paul, Weiss to establish their legal practice, according to the Politico. These exits follow two months after Paul, Weiss arranged an agreement with the White House, pledging $40 million in pro-bono legal services for Trump-supported causes, in exchange for withdrawing an executive order that the firm's Chair Brad Karp indicated could have been devastating for their organisation. The departing group includes Karen Dunn, former co-chair of the firm's litigation division, who has assisted Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates with debate preparation since 2008. Jeannie Rhee, who served in the Justice Department during Obama's administration and previously defended Hillary Clinton in her private email server case before joining Robert Mueller's investigation team, is also leaving. The group also includes Jessica Phillips, known for representing major technology firms in court, and William Isaacson, a distinguished trial lawyer previously recognised as litigator of the year by The American Lawyer. "We were disappointed not to be able to tell each of you personally and individually the news that we have decided to leave Paul, Weiss to start a new law firm," Dunn wrote in a goodbye email sent to the firm's partners. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo "It has been an honor to work alongside such talented lawyers and to call so many of you our friends. We hope to continue to collaborate with all of you in the years to come and are incredibly grateful for your warm and generous partnership. " The executive order, which referenced the firm's connection to a lawyer who had investigated Trump for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, restricted the firm's access to government contracts, limited their lawyers' interactions with officials, and threatened to bar Paul Weiss attorneys from government buildings. Federal judges have declared similar directives against Perkins Coie and Jenner & Block unconstitutional. WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey have filed lawsuits challenging comparable executive orders, with decisions still pending. However, Paul Weiss and other prestigious law firms negotiated agreements to improve relations with Trump. "Paul Weiss is grateful to Bill, Jeannie, Jessica and Karen for their many contributions. We wish them well in all their future endeavors," the firm said in a statement.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Four major partners exit Paul, Weiss after Trump deal
A prominent Democratic lawyer and three other major partners are leaving the law firm Paul, Weiss to start their own firm, according to an email obtained by POLITICO. The departures come two months after Paul, Weiss entered a deal with the White House to provide $40 million in pro-bono legal work to causes supported by President Donald Trump in exchange for the removal of an executive order that firm Chair Brad Karp said 'could easily have destroyed our firm.' The departures include Karen Dunn, who co-chaired the firm's litigation department and has helped Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates prepare for debates in every election since 2008. Also leaving the firm is Jeannie Rhee, a former Obama-era Justice Department official who previously represented Hillary Clinton in a lawsuit regarding her use of a private email server and later joined special counsel Robert Mueller's investigative team. Rounding out the departures are Jessica Phillips, who has represented some of the nation's largest technology companies in court, and William Isaacson, another high-profile trial lawyer once named litigator of the year by The American Lawyer. 'We were disappointed not to be able to tell each of you personally and individually the news that we have decided to leave Paul, Weiss to start a new law firm,' Dunn wrote in a goodbye email sent to the firm's partners. 'It has been an honor to work alongside such talented lawyers and to call so many of you our friends. We hope to continue to collaborate with all of you in the years to come and are incredibly grateful for your warm and generous partnership.' Citing the firm's association with a lawyer who previously investigated Trump for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the executive order cut the firm and its clients off from government contracts, limited the ability of its lawyers to interact with government officials and even threatened to restrict Paul Weiss, attorneys from government buildings. Two federal judges have ruled similar orders against law firms Perkins Coie and Jenner & Block unconstitutional. Two additional firms, WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey, have also sued over similar executive orders and final rulings are pending in those cases. But Paul Weiss and other elite law firms struck deals to try to get in Trump's good graces. 'Paul Weiss is grateful to Bill, Jeannie, Jessica and Karen for their many contributions. We wish them well in all their future endeavors,' the firm said in a statement.
Politico
24-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Four major partners exit Paul, Weiss after Trump deal
A prominent Democratic lawyer and three other major partners are leaving the law firm Paul, Weiss to start their own firm, according to an email obtained by POLITICO. The departures come two months after Paul, Weiss entered a deal with the White House to provide $40 million in pro-bono legal work to causes supported by President Donald Trump in exchange for the removal of an executive order that firm Chair Brad Karp said 'could easily have destroyed our firm.' The departures include Karen Dunn, who co-chaired the firm's litigation department and has helped Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates prepare for debates in every election since 2008. Also leaving the firm is Jeannie Rhee, a former Obama-era Justice Department official who previously represented Hillary Clinton in a lawsuit regarding her use of a private email server and later joined special counsel Robert Mueller's investigative team. Rounding out the departures are Jessica Phillips, who has represented some of the nation's largest technology companies in court, and William Isaacson, another high-profile trial lawyer once named litigator of the year by The American Lawyer. 'We were disappointed not to be able to tell each of you personally and individually the news that we have decided to leave Paul, Weiss to start a new law firm,' Dunn wrote in a goodbye email sent to the firm's partners. 'It has been an honor to work alongside such talented lawyers and to call so many of you our friends. We hope to continue to collaborate with all of you in the years to come and are incredibly grateful for your warm and generous partnership.' Citing the firm's association with a lawyer who previously investigated Trump for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the executive order cut the firm and its clients off from government contracts, limited the ability of its lawyers to interact with government officials and even threatened to restrict Paul Weiss, attorneys from government buildings. Two federal judges have ruled similar orders against law firms Perkins Coie and Jenner & Block unconstitutional. Two additional firms, WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey, have also sued over similar executive orders and final rulings are pending in those cases. But Paul Weiss and other elite law firms struck deals to try to get in Trump's good graces. 'Paul Weiss is grateful to Bill, Jeannie, Jessica and Karen for their many contributions. We wish them well in all their future endeavors,' the firm said in a statement.
