It ain’t straightforward being tacky, or a conservative in Biglaw today. That’s the message we’re listening to — again. And although it’s easy to disprove, it’s a pernicious take that’s making the rounds. The newest incarnation is a story on Law.com about William D. Brown Jr., a former affiliate at McCarter & English who claims he was fired from the Biglaw agency as a part of a “political purge.”
Oh jeez. There’s no cross fairly so excessive as one a proper winger places themselves on. Okay, effective. You’ve obtained me. Let’s delve into Brown’s story.
Brown was let go from McCarter & English in December of 2023 as a consequence of a LinkedIn submit about “gangsta rap” and violence within the Muslim world. At the very least, that’s Brown’s take — McCarter & English would solely say they’re “unable to touch upon personnel issues.”
Let’s begin with the reminder — LinkedIn is an expert discussion board, you don’t have to submit each thought there. However let’s dive into what Brown stated.
The submit that prompted his firing referenced Brown’s expertise serving as a Navy SEAL in Iraq, the place, he wrote, “There are numerous lovely and tolerant Muslims, however the textual language inside the Koran is much from tolerant.”
Ummmm, if we wish to speak about non secular texts which can be illiberal, let’s discuss concerning the Bible. As a result of in Violence & Theology, Professor John J. Collins of the Yale Divinity Faculty explains how little tolerance the Canaanites had been proven:
The Guide of Exodus tells us that “the Lord is a person of conflict.” Within the historic world, gods had been imagined to defend their individuals and assist them in battle, and the God of Israel was no totally different on this respect. Essentially the most problematic a part of the biblical account, nonetheless, is definitely the conquest of Canaan. In response to Deuteronomy, the Israelites had been to destroy the individuals of the land totally. “Make no covenant with them and present them no mercy.” Quite: “break down their altars, smash their pillars, hew down their sacred poles and burn their idols with fireplace. For you’re a individuals holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all of the peoples of the earth.”1 The Guide of Joshua describes how this commandment was carried out. As a result of Israel is the chosen individuals, it could, and is even commanded to, destroy any individuals that appear to impede its mission.
Brown’s submit continued:
The submit went on to say that ”[i]t’s my opinion that there’s additionally a radical tradition inside the Islamic world that promotes anti social values and glorifies violence. This has had a devastating affect on thousands and thousands of younger and simply influenced lives.”
Talking of non secular texts that justify actual life violence, once more from Collins:
The violence in direction of the Canaanites have to be balanced towards the humanistic features of Deuteronomic regulation. However the violence stays, and it has had fateful penalties in western historical past. The English Puritan revolution was justified repeatedly by biblical analogies drawn from the Outdated Testomony. Oliver Cromwell drew a parallel between his revolution and the Exodus, and proceeded to deal with the Catholics of Eire because the Canaanites. He even declared that “there are nice events during which some males are known as to nice companies within the doing of which they’re excused from the widespread rule of morality,”7 as had been the heroes of the Outdated Testomony. A era later, the Puritans of New England utilized the biblical texts concerning the conquest to their very own scenario, casting the native American Indians within the position of the Canaanites and Amalekites. In 1689, Cotton Mather urged the colonists to go forth towards “Amalek annoying this Israel within the wilderness.”8 A couple of years later, one Herbert Gibbs gave thanks for “the mercies of God in extirpating the enemies of Israel in Canaan.” He was not referring to biblical occasions. Comparable rhetoric continued in American Puritanism by way of the 18th century, and certainly biblical analogies have continued to play a component in American political rhetoric down to the current.9
So possibly not the slam dunk of an argument that Brown supposes it’s.
However Brown additionally used LinkedIn to trot out the problematic trope of rap music inflicting violence.
The posting additionally stated that “[t]he promotion of anti-social values and the glorification of violence and medicines portrayed in gangsta rap had an enormous adverse affect on the various younger and simply impressionable American black youth.”
Hmmm, discover how Taylor Swift catches no warmth for singing “No Physique, No Crime” nor did The Chicks after they wrote how Earl needed to die. WHAT COULD BE DIFFERENT? Hear, literal dissertations have been written analyzing violent lyrics and the affect of rap music on Black tradition, however I promise you none of that nuance is captured in Brown’s submit.
Regardless, Brown says he stopped getting work from the chapter group — he was an affiliate in that observe space — when Joseph Lubertazzi was elevated to chair. Brown thinks that was due to his political posts on LinkedIn. “When Lubertazzi grew to become chair, it’s my opinion that he wished to distance himself and the agency from me as a result of he wished me to go,” Brown stated. Which… he bases on vibes, I assume? I dunno, there’s not a lot by the best way of concrete proof as to why Brown thinks Lubertazzi distanced himself.
However he says it obtained tougher when he requested his colleagues for a referral. Wait… that doesn’t make a lot sense. Networking is an important a part of lawyering and referrals are a improbable approach to cement an expert relationship.
Then, when one other former Navy SEAL good friend requested Brown to suggest a felony protection lawyer, Brown obtained a lukewarm response from colleagues.
The good friend and his son had been being questioned by the FBI as a result of they had been on the U.S. Capitol constructing on Jan. 6, 2021, the day of the rebellion, though Brown stated they “didn’t do something improper.”
Different attorneys on the agency confirmed little curiosity in making a advice, Brown stated.
OOOOOhhhhhhhh. Nicely, now that makes somewhat extra sense. The stink of rebellion and all that.
Brown additionally complained that he wasn’t placed on the agency’s variety, fairness, and inclusion committee to symbolize veterans. He complained the DEI committee didn’t commemorate 9/11. He complained concerning the work he didn’t get assigned on the agency. Actually, it seems like he was fairly sad on the agency.
However that doesn’t play with the story Brown is promoting.
He additionally notes within the article that he does volunteer work:
Brown places on an annual fundraiser during which Navy SEALS and different athletes swim from Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey, to the Statute of Liberty, then to Ellis Island, and eventually to Battery Park in Manhattan, the place they carry American flags on a run to the World Commerce Heart website.
As if individuals who do fundraising are immune from being fired for trigger. However being a former Navy SEAL who’s a PATRIOT appears far more related to Brown than the chapter work he was employed to carry out.
So obsessive about that fundraiser is Brown that it’s used to advertise the story concerning the unrelated discrimination he allegedly skilled as a conservative in Biglaw.
Hmmm… A topless picture? Offered as a courtesy to advertise this horrible story of discrimination? Very severe, very skilled.
A part of being a counselor is utilizing discretion and judgment, significantly in skilled settings. Based mostly on the little or no I’ve been capable of glean about Brown from this text, wouldn’t shock me if McCarter & English had very justified issues on this space.
The telling of Brown’s story is all simply in service to a bigger narrative of conservative victimization. And you know the way you *know* that is about getting publicity and possibly even hitting the discuss present circuit to complain concerning the “bias in Biglaw” and never about some grave injustice? It’s a bunch of quotes from a self-serving article in ALM, not from a criticism. The article says Brown is contemplating litigation, however to date, nothing burger. Certainly, Brown has been such a desperado to get his model of the information on the market he’s been purchasing his story to Above the Legislation and different media retailers. Nicely, Brownie, we’re speaking about you… however one thing tells me you received’t be pleased about it.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Legislation, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are one of the best, so please join along with her. Be happy to e mail her with any ideas, questions, or feedback and observe her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
