Since a direct action at a recruiting event caught Paul Weiss associates and partners off-guard in January, law students have taken action at Harvard, Yale, NYU, Michigan, and Stanford. We have disrupted events, unfurled banners, distributed flyers, and collected over 500 signatures from law students who pledge that they will not work for Paul Weiss while Paul Weiss represents Exxon in climate litigation. Paul Weiss heard us loud and clear–even firm chairman Brad Carp responded to our campaign. Further, key players have voiced their support of the #DropExxon campaign, including 350.org founder Bill McKibben, United States Senator Richard Blumenthal, and March 4 Our Lives co-founder David Hogg.
Although Paul Weiss proudly claims victory for their representation of Exxon in the case brought by New York, the firm’s work isn’t over yet. The Massachusetts case is heading back to state court and is expected to go to trial later this year. Rhode Island has also filed a lawsuit, as have cities such as San Francisco and Baltimore. As Paul Weiss continues the work of shielding Big Oil from accountability, our campaign to hold Paul Weiss accountable for doing that work continues.
Word has spread that law students are taking a stand for climate justice. Many influential media outlets have covered our efforts, including The Guardian, Vox, Bloomberg (twice!), Salon, and Grist. ExxonKnews recently interviewed Yale 2L student and #DropExxon organizer Manny Rutinel about our campaign and broader themes of environmental justice.
|