Paul Weiss' chairman, Brad Karp, sent an email to employees on Sunday explaining why the law firm struck a deal with President Donald Trump last week.

Trump's executive order blocking the law firm from federal contacts was an "existential threat," its chair told staff.

Standing up to bullies is the best way to deal with the administration. By backing down, Paul Weiss feeds the beast and encourages more of the kind of bullying that the White House has used against it. The first domino has fallen. Sadly, others will soon follow.

The biggest law firms around the country have largely kept quiet in the face of Trump’s attacks, fearing retribution from the executive branch.