{"id":126101,"date":"2025-07-09T09:23:25","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T17:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/07\/09\/simpson-thacher-associate-quit-biglaw-after-firm-capitulated-to-trump-now-hes-running-for-congress\/"},"modified":"2025-07-09T09:23:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T17:23:25","slug":"simpson-thacher-associate-quit-biglaw-after-firm-capitulated-to-trump-now-hes-running-for-congress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/07\/09\/simpson-thacher-associate-quit-biglaw-after-firm-capitulated-to-trump-now-hes-running-for-congress\/","title":{"rendered":"Simpson Thacher Associate Quit Biglaw After Firm Capitulated To Trump. Now He\u2019s Running For Congress."},"content":{"rendered":"

Nine Biglaw firms<\/a> showed their belly to Trump and signed deals with the administration promising a combined $940 million in pro bono payola<\/a> for whichever conservative causes and clients strike Donald Trump\u2019s fancy<\/a>. The result of forsaking the rule of law<\/a> hasn\u2019t been pretty \u2014 there have been congressional investigations<\/a> and\u00a0client concerns<\/a> and the deal with Trump generally keeps getting worse<\/a>. And, of course, there\u2019ve been bunches<\/a> of associates<\/a>\u00a0bailing<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0the firms<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0distance themselves<\/a>\u00a0(partners are jetting from the yellow-bellied nine too, though they\u2019re often more circumspect<\/a> about the reason<\/a> for their departure).<\/p>\n

But what\u2019s next on the career path for associates that made a principled stand? It\u2019s a tightening lateral market and they have no book of business to port to another firm. Plus there\u2019s always a risk the firm they jump to decides to cave next<\/a> under pressure from Trump, though some have found a home a firms that have already taken a stand<\/a> against Trump.<\/p>\n

Former Simpson Thacher associate Taylor Wettach is taking a different path. Though Simpson\u2019s cowardice radically changed his career path, he\u2019s out there making lemonade out of those lemons. <\/p>\n

Today the seventh generation Iowan announced he\u2019s running for Congress \u201cto take back Iowa\u2019s 1st Congressional District.\u201d In his opening \u201celevator pitch\u201d campaign video, Wettach explains how Simspon\u2019s capitulation to Trump derailed his legal career (and slyly refers to his T14 legal education) and now he\u2019s focused on the political sphere and trying to enact real change for Iowans. It\u2019s an enticing pitch for those feeling lost and helpless by the country\u2019s recent swing towards authoritarianism.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s see if it plays well in Iowa. <\/p>\n

Watch the campaign video below.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
\n

\"\"Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast<\/a>, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer<\/a>. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her<\/a> with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1<\/a>\u00a0or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The post Simpson Thacher Associate Quit Biglaw After Firm Capitulated To Trump. Now He\u2019s Running For Congress.<\/a> appeared first on Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTaylor Wettach\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nine Biglaw firms<\/a> showed their belly to Trump and signed deals with the administration promising a combined $940 million in pro bono payola<\/a> for whichever conservative causes and clients strike Donald Trump\u2019s fancy<\/a>. The result of forsaking the rule of law<\/a> hasn\u2019t been pretty \u2014 there have been congressional investigations<\/a> and\u00a0client concerns<\/a> and the deal with Trump generally keeps getting worse<\/a>. And, of course, there\u2019ve been bunches<\/a> of associates<\/a>\u00a0bailing<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0the firms<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0distance themselves<\/a>\u00a0(partners are jetting from the yellow-bellied nine too, though they\u2019re often more circumspect<\/a> about the reason<\/a> for their departure).<\/p>\n

But what\u2019s next on the career path for associates that made a principled stand? It\u2019s a tightening lateral market and they have no book of business to port to another firm. Plus there\u2019s always a risk the firm they jump to decides to cave next<\/a> under pressure from Trump, though some have found a home a firms that have already taken a stand<\/a> against Trump.<\/p>\n

Former Simpson Thacher associate Taylor Wettach is taking a different path. Though Simpson\u2019s cowardice radically changed his career path, he\u2019s out there making lemonade out of those lemons. <\/p>\n

Today the seventh generation Iowan announced he\u2019s running for Congress \u201cto take back Iowa\u2019s 1st Congressional District.\u201d In his opening \u201celevator pitch\u201d campaign video, Wettach explains how Simspon\u2019s capitulation to Trump derailed his legal career (and slyly refers to his T14 legal education) and now he\u2019s focused on the political sphere and trying to enact real change for Iowans. It\u2019s an enticing pitch for those feeling lost and helpless by the country\u2019s recent swing towards authoritarianism.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s see if it plays well in Iowa. <\/p>\n

Watch the campaign video below.<\/p>\n