Full Breakdown
DLA Piper Shifts from Jan. 6 Critics to Defender of Former President Donald Trump
8/27/2026, 12:43:28 AM
Core Event
Global law firm DLA Piper, which signed a letter urging the removal of former President Donald Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack, is now representing him in multiple lawsuits. Partners Caryn Schechtman and Mike Walsh have entered appearances on Trump’s legal team in a suit brought by Capitol Police officers and a separate case filed by members of Congress. The firm also advises Trump personally, his wife Melania, Trump Media & Technology Group, and other entities linked to the former president.
Background & Context
Since Trump’s 2024 re-election, the firm has expanded its portfolio of work for the Trump orbit, including representation in a $10 billion suit against the Internal Revenue Service and litigation over a controversial “anti-weaponization fund” tied to the IRS settlement.
Key Figures & Groups
- Frank Ryan – Global chair of DLA Piper, former U.S. leader who signed the removal letter.
- Caryn Schechtman – New York-based securities litigator, now on Trump’s defense team.
- Mike Walsh – Former Commerce Department official, national-security partner who joined DLA Piper in March 2025.
- Geneva Youel – Director of communications for DLA Piper, spokesperson on the firm’s client-service philosophy.
Timeline
- 2021 – Jan. 6 Capitol attack; DLA Piper signs removal-call letter.
- 2024 – Firm begins representing Trump Media & Technology Group in a stock-ownership case.
- March 2025 – Mike Walsh joins DLA Piper’s national-security group.
- 2025-2026 – DLA Piper adds Trump, Melania Trump, and other Trump-affiliated entities to its client roster; partners Schechtman and Walsh appear in ongoing Jan. 6-related lawsuits.
Data & Statistics
- DLA Piper ranked among the five largest U.S. law firms by revenue, generating nearly $4.6 billion in the most recent fiscal year.
- The firm employs close to 5,000 lawyers worldwide.
Criticism & Opposition
Legal scholars have highlighted the apparent inconsistency. Yale Law School professor John Morley called the shift “striking” and suggested firms may seek “sway with the administration” by advising Trump personally. UCLA law professor Scott Cummings described DLA Piper’s turn as “deeply hypocritical,” arguing that the firm’s earlier public condemnation contrasts sharply with its current representation of the former president.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The real opportunity for us is to drive that top revenue line, and to really build business,” — Frank Ryan, global firm chair
What’s Next
The Jan. 6 lawsuits remain pending, with a district judge’s earlier ruling limiting presidential immunity now on appeal. DLA Piper’s involvement in the $10 billion IRS suit and the anti-weaponization fund dispute suggests the firm will continue to play a prominent role in litigation surrounding Trump and his affiliated businesses.
