Latest news with #Tolles&Olson
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Meghan McCain asks Usha Vance about possibility of becoming first lady
Second lady Usha Vance says she's focused on the here and now, revealing that while she's been asked about the possibility of becoming America's next first lady, she hasn't thought much about it. "People do ask about it," the lawyer and mom of three shared in a recent interview on Citizen McCain, a podcast hosted by Meghan McCain. "Three years ago, or maybe it's four years ago at this point, I had absolutely no intention of leading any sort of life in politics. It really is that rapid." Vance, 39, goes on to say that when she and her husband Vice President JD Vance moved their family to the Washington, D.C.-area, it was with no intention, whatsoever, of "JD running for a new office." "My attitude is that this is a four-year period where I have a set of responsibilities to my family, to myself, to obviously, the country. And that's really what I'm focused on," Vance said. Vice President JD Vance, who President Donald Trump speculated as a potential future leader of the MAGA movement, previously told NBC News: "If I do end up running in 2028, I'm not entitled to it." Usha Vance is 'along for the ride' Vance isn't "plotting out next steps," or "really trying for anything after this," referring to her husband's four-year term in office, which began in January of this year. "In a dream world, eventually, I'll be able to live in my home and kind of continue my career and all those sorts of things," Vance said. "And if that happens, in four years, I understand. If that happens, at some other point in the future, I understand. I'm just sort of along for the ride and enjoying it while I can." Before becoming second lady of the United States, Vance worked as an attorney at Munger, Tolles & Olson, a law firm that specializes in litigation, corporate, professional liability, employment, financial restructuring, tax and executive compensation. She left the firm when her husband secured the vice presidential nomination. Usha also shares three children − Ewan Blaine, Vivek, and Mirabel Rose − with JD, whom she married in 2014. Meghan McCain breaks baby news to Usha Vance, and the public McCain, daughter of late Arizona senator John McCain, also announced on the episode that she was expecting her third child with husband Ben Domenech on the show. "I wanted to let you in on something that is private that I haven't talked about publicly yet, because one of the things I have so enjoyed about you, and your husband is seeing how you incorporate your children in your life in so many ways. You travel with them," McCain told Vance. "I have two little girls. They are almost five and almost three, and I am just entering my second trimester. I'm pregnant with my third." Vance extends her congratulations, telling McCain that she "loves" having three kids after "The View" cohost expressed some nervousness about having a boy and having three children. "I'm a huge proponent of it," Vance said. "Obviously, people want to have different family sizes for different reasons. But what I've really enjoyed about having three kids is that it's just enough for them all to be kind of a pack, like the oldest will take care of the youngest one, the youngest is so motivated to be like the older two that basically she's self-sufficent and always has been. It's awesome." 'Did you just make Joe Biden laugh?' Tourists run into former president eating ice cream How to watch Usha Vance interview with Meghan McCain McCain's interview with Vance can be found on YouTube, or any other audio streaming service, like Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, that transmits podcasts. "Meghan McCain sits down with Usha Vance for her first long-form interview, covering motherhood, faith, and life in the national spotlight," a description of the episode reads. "Usha opens up about raising a family at the Naval Observatory, navigating public life, and what might come next."
![[Mark Z. Barabak] Odd alliances in Trump lawfare](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F04%2F22%2Fnews-p.v1.20250422.131211c84bc1402c815d3b90797fa024_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[Mark Z. Barabak] Odd alliances in Trump lawfare](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fkoreaherald.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Korea Herald
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
[Mark Z. Barabak] Odd alliances in Trump lawfare
Lawfare makes for strange bedfellows. As part of his tightening grip on power, and his assault on 200-plus years of checks and balances, President Donald Trump has bludgeoned some of the nation's leading law firms into shameful submission, extracting hundreds of millions of dollars worth of free legal work for his pet causes. More significantly, the vengeful felon-in-chief has sent a clear-cut message: Oppose his heedless, plainly unconstitutional actions in court — one of the only avenues left to fight Trump's creeping authoritarianism — and there will be a dear price to pay. Given that choice -- between principle and profits — many high-powered litigators have collapsed like a cheap umbrella. But not all. Last week, the LA-based law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson filed a federal court brief denouncing Trump's targeting of Perkins Coie — which numbered Hillary Clinton among past clients — and other legal firms facing wrongful retribution for, among other things, holding the Jan. 6 rioters to account. The ranks of Munger, Tolles used to include one Usha Vance, who resigned in the summer after her husband, JD, was chosen as Trump's vice presidential running mate and avenging mini-me. Small world. The political views of America's second lady are something of a well-kept mystery. Though she clerked for the conservative Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the even more conservative Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh before his ascension to the Supreme Court, Vance was a registered Democrat until at least 2014. By signing on with Munger, Tolles, the Yale Law School graduate embraced a firm that describes its corporate culture as "radically progressive." Its reputation is no secret. In a 2019 column, the American Lawyer called Munger, Tolles "a top contender in the cool, woke category" — which is about as far removed from the Trump World groove as it gets. Kind of like a drag queen showing up at a MAGA picnic. It's impossible to know what's going on inside Vance's head as she finds her old law firm so fiercely at odds with her new political peer group. But there was a definite hostage-video vibe to her appearances during the presidential campaign, giving students of body language a speculative field day. Also worth noting: The second lady's mom is a University of California San Diego provost and big promoter of diversity, equity and inclusion — which Trump regards with the enmity other presidents once reserved for al-Qaida and the former Soviet Union. Who wouldn't love to be a fly on the wall when the extended Vance family gets together? As it happens, the nation's former second gentleman, as Doug Emhoff was known, is also crossways with his legal firm. Kamala Harris' spouse, a longtime entertainment, media and intellectual property attorney in Los Angeles, joined the white-shoe law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher after the former vice president left the White House. This month, Willkie Farr caved to Trump's intimidation campaign, agreeing to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal work during Trump's presidency and beyond. The firm's services will be dedicated to helping veterans, Gold Star families, law enforcement offices and first responders — all unarguably meritorious individuals deserving of support. Still, blackmail is no way to enlist the firm's good counsel. By coincidence, Emhoff spoke to Georgetown Law School students shortly before a preening Trump announced Willkie Farr's surrender on social media. "The rule of law is under attack. Democracy is under attack," Emhoff said. "And so, all of us lawyers need to do what we can to push back on that. Us lawyers have always been on the front lines, fighting for civil rights, for justice. ... I love being a lawyer, this is what we do: We fight for people. We fight for what's right." Emhoff subsequently made known his unhappiness with the firm's capitulation, though he stopped short of quitting — as some have urged — to protest its bended knee. "I disagree with the decision that my firm made to settle? I do," he said at a recent Los Angeles fundraiser for Bet Tzedek, a legal aid organization Emhoff has supported for more than 30 years. "I wanted them to fight a patently unconstitutional potential executive order. "Our legal system depends on the willingness of institutions — law firms, clients — to stand firm, and stand together," he went on. "They need to do that in the face of pressure and we need to do it to defend the principles that define our democracy. "At this very critical moment, I urge my colleagues across the legal profession to remain vigilant, engaged and unafraid to challenge actions that may erode our fundamental rights." Emhoff's summons was a clarion call, crisp and clear. Would that a certain resident of the vice presidential mansion add her public voice to the fight to preserve the rule of law and protect our imperiled democracy. Mark Z. Barabak Mark Z. Barabak is a political columnist for The Los Angeles Times, The views expressed here are the writer's own. -- Ed.
Korea Herald
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
[Mark Z. Barabak] Odd alliances in Trump lawfare
Lawfare makes for strange bedfellows. As part of his tightening grip on power, and his assault on 200-plus years of checks and balances, President Donald Trump has bludgeoned some of the nation's leading law firms into shameful submission, extracting hundreds of millions of dollars worth of free legal work for his pet causes. More significantly, the vengeful felon-in-chief has sent a clear-cut message: Oppose his heedless, plainly unconstitutional actions in court — one of the only avenues left to fight Trump's creeping authoritarianism — and there will be a dear price to pay. Given that choice -- between principle and profits — many high-powered litigators have collapsed like a cheap umbrella. But not all. Last week, the LA-based law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson filed a federal court brief denouncing Trump's targeting of Perkins Coie — which numbered Hillary Clinton among past clients — and other legal firms facing wrongful retribution for, among other things, holding the Jan. 6 rioters to account. The ranks of Munger, Tolles used to include one Usha Vance, who resigned in the summer after her husband, JD, was chosen as Trump's vice presidential running mate and avenging mini-me. Small world. The political views of America's second lady are something of a well-kept mystery. Though she clerked for the conservative Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the even more conservative Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh before his ascension to the Supreme Court, Vance was a registered Democrat until at least 2014. By signing on with Munger, Tolles, the Yale Law School graduate embraced a firm that describes its corporate culture as "radically progressive." Its reputation is no secret. In a 2019 column, the American Lawyer called Munger, Tolles "a top contender in the cool, woke category" — which is about as far removed from the Trump World groove as it gets. Kind of like a drag queen showing up at a MAGA picnic. It's impossible to know what's going on inside Vance's head as she finds her old law firm so fiercely at odds with her new political peer group. But there was a definite hostage-video vibe to her appearances during the presidential campaign, giving students of body language a speculative field day. Also worth noting: The second lady's mom is a University of California San Diego provost and big promoter of diversity, equity and inclusion — which Trump regards with the enmity other presidents once reserved for al-Qaida and the former Soviet Union. Who wouldn't love to be a fly on the wall when the extended Vance family gets together? As it happens, the nation's former second gentleman, as Doug Emhoff was known, is also crossways with his legal firm. Kamala Harris' spouse, a longtime entertainment, media and intellectual property attorney in Los Angeles, joined the white-shoe law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher after the former vice president left the White House. This month, Willkie Farr caved to Trump's intimidation campaign, agreeing to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal work during Trump's presidency and beyond. The firm's services will be dedicated to helping veterans, Gold Star families, law enforcement offices and first responders — all unarguably meritorious individuals deserving of support. Still, blackmail is no way to enlist the firm's good counsel. By coincidence, Emhoff spoke to Georgetown Law School students shortly before a preening Trump announced Willkie Farr's surrender on social media. "The rule of law is under attack. Democracy is under attack," Emhoff said. "And so, all of us lawyers need to do what we can to push back on that. Us lawyers have always been on the front lines, fighting for civil rights, for justice. ... I love being a lawyer, this is what we do: We fight for people. We fight for what's right." Emhoff subsequently made known his unhappiness with the firm's capitulation, though he stopped short of quitting — as some have urged — to protest its bended knee. "I disagree with the decision that my firm made to settle? I do," he said at a recent Los Angeles fundraiser for Bet Tzedek, a legal aid organization Emhoff has supported for more than 30 years. "I wanted them to fight a patently unconstitutional potential executive order. "Our legal system depends on the willingness of institutions — law firms, clients — to stand firm, and stand together," he went on. "They need to do that in the face of pressure and we need to do it to defend the principles that define our democracy. "At this very critical moment, I urge my colleagues across the legal profession to remain vigilant, engaged and unafraid to challenge actions that may erode our fundamental rights." Emhoff's summons was a clarion call, crisp and clear. Would that a certain resident of the vice presidential mansion add her public voice to the fight to preserve the rule of law and protect our imperiled democracy.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Barabak: The fight over Trump's legal bullying campaign makes for odd alliances
Lawfare makes for strange bedfellows. As part of his tightening grip on power, and his assault on 200-plus years of checks and balances, President Trump has bludgeoned some of the nation's leading law firms into shameful submission, extracting hundreds of millions of dollars worth of free legal work for his pet causes. More significantly, the vengeful felon-in-chief has sent a clear-cut message: Oppose his heedless, plainly unconstitutional actions in court — one of the only avenues left to fight Trump's creeping authoritarianism — and there will be a dear price to pay. Given that choice — between principle and profits — many high-powered litigators have collapsed like a cheap umbrella. But not all. Last week, the L.A.-based law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson filed a federal court brief denouncing Trump's targeting of Perkins Coie — which numbered Hillary Clinton among past clients — and other legal firms facing wrongful retribution for, among other things, holding the Jan. 6 rioters to account. Trump's actions "pose a grave threat to our system of constitutional governance and to the rule of law itself," the firm said in its brief. "The looming threat ... is not lost on anyone practicing law in this country today: any controversial representation challenging actions of the current administration (or even causes it disfavors) now brings with it the risk of devastating retaliation." Read more: Calmes: The case that proves the U.S., under Trump, no longer stands for rule of law The ranks of Munger, Tolles used to include one Usha Vance, who resigned in the summer after her husband, JD, was chosen as Trump's vice presidential running mate and avenging mini-me. Small world. The political views of America's second lady are something of a well-kept mystery. Though she clerked for the conservative Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the even-more conservative Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh before his ascension to the Supreme Court, Vance was a registered Democrat until at least 2014. By signing on with Munger, Tolles, the Yale Law School graduate embraced a firm that describes its corporate culture as 'radically progressive." Its reputation is no secret. In a 2019 column, the American Lawyer called Munger, Tolles 'a top contender in the cool, woke category' — which is about as far removed from the Trump World groove as it gets. Kind of like a drag queen showing up at a MAGA picnic. It's impossible to know what's going on inside Vance's head as she finds her old law firm so fiercely at odds with her new political peer group. But there was a definite hostage-video vibe to her appearances during the presidential campaign, giving students of body language a speculative field day. Also worth noting: The second lady's mom is a UC San Diego provost and big promoter of diversity, equity and inclusion — which Trump regards with the enmity other presidents once reserved for Al Qaeda and the former Soviet Union. Who wouldn't love to be a fly on the wall when the extended Vance family gets together? As it happens, the nation's former second gentleman, as Doug Emhoff was known, is also crossways with his legal firm. Kamala Harris' spouse, a longtime entertainment, media and intellectual property attorney in Los Angeles, joined the white-shoe law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher after the former vice president left the White House. This month, Willkie Farr caved to Trump's intimidation campaign, agreeing to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal work during Trump's presidency and beyond. The firm's services will be dedicated to helping veterans, Gold Star families, law enforcement offices and first responders — all unarguably meritorious individuals deserving of support. Still, blackmail is no way to enlist the firm's good counsel. By coincidence, Emhoff spoke to Georgetown Law School students shortly before a preening Trump announced Willkie Farr's surrender on social media. Read more: Defying courts in deportation cases, Trump risks a tipping point, experts say 'The rule of law is under attack. Democracy is under attack," Emhoff said. "And so, all of us lawyers need to do what we can to push back on that. Us lawyers have always been on the front lines, fighting for civil rights, for justice. ... I love being a lawyer, this is what we do: We fight for people. We fight for what's right.' Emhoff subsequently made known his unhappiness with the firm's capitulation, though he's stopped short of quitting — as some have urged — to protest its bended knee. "I disagree with the decision that my firm made to settle — I do," he said at a recent Los Angeles fundraiser for Bet Tzedek, a legal aid organization Emhoff has supported for more than 30 years. "I wanted them to fight a patently unconstitutional potential executive order. "Our legal system depends on the willingness of institutions — law firms, clients — to stand firm, and stand together," he went on. "They need to do that in the face of pressure and we need to do it to defend the principles that define our democracy. "At this very critical moment, I urge my colleagues across the legal profession to remain vigilant, engaged and unafraid to challenge actions that may erode our fundamental rights." Emhoff's summons was a clarion call, crisp and clear. Would that a certain resident of the vice presidential mansion add her public voice to the fight to preserve the rule of law and protect our imperiled democracy. Get the latest from Mark Z. BarabakFocusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
The fight over Trump's legal bullying campaign makes for odd alliances
Lawfare makes for strange bedfellows. As part of his tightening grip on power, and his assault on 200-plus years of checks and balances, President Trump has bludgeoned some of the nation's leading law firms into shameful submission, extracting hundreds of millions of dollars worth of free legal work for his pet causes. More significantly, the vengeful felon-in-chief has sent a clear-cut message: Oppose his heedless, plainly unconstitutional actions in court — one of the only avenues left to fight Trump's creeping authoritarianism — and there will be a dear price to pay. Given that choice — between principle and profits — many high-powered litigators have collapsed like a cheap umbrella. But not all. Last week, the L.A.-based law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson filed a federal court brief denouncing Trump's targeting of Perkins Coie — which numbered Hillary Clinton among past clients — and other legal firms facing wrongful retribution for, among other things, holding the Jan. 6 rioters to account. Trump's actions 'pose a grave threat to our system of constitutional governance and to the rule of law itself,' the firm said in its brief. 'The looming threat ... is not lost on anyone practicing law in this country today: any controversial representation challenging actions of the current administration (or even causes it disfavors) now brings with it the risk of devastating retaliation.' The ranks of Munger, Tolles used to include one Usha Vance, who resigned in the summer after her husband, JD, was chosen as Trump's vice presidential running mate and avenging mini-me. Small world. The political views of America's second lady are something of a well-kept mystery. Though she clerked for the conservative Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the even-more conservative Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh before his ascension to the Supreme Court, Vance was a registered Democrat until at least 2014. By signing on with Munger, Tolles, the Yale Law School graduate embraced a firm that describes its corporate culture as 'radically progressive.' Its reputation is no secret. In a 2019 column, the American Lawyer called Munger, Tolles 'a top contender in the cool, woke category' — which is about as far removed from the Trump World groove as it gets. Kind of like a drag queen showing up at a MAGA picnic. It's impossible to know what's going on inside Vance's head as she finds her old law firm so fiercely at odds with her new political peer group. But there was a definite hostage-video vibe to her appearances during the presidential campaign, giving students of body language a speculative field day. Also worth noting: The second lady's mom is a UC San Diego provost and big promoter of diversity, equity and inclusion — which Trump regards with the enmity other presidents once reserved for Al Qaeda and the former Soviet Union. Who wouldn't love to be a fly on the wall when the extended Vance family gets together? As it happens, the nation's former second gentleman, as Doug Emhoff was known, is also crossways with his legal firm. Kamala Harris' spouse, a longtime entertainment, media and intellectual property attorney in Los Angeles, joined the white-shoe law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher after the former vice president left the White House. This month, Willkie Farr caved to Trump's intimidation campaign, agreeing to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal work during Trump's presidency and beyond. The firm's services will be dedicated to helping veterans, Gold Star families, law enforcement offices and first responders — all unarguably meritorious individuals deserving of support. Still, blackmail is no way to enlist the firm's good counsel. By coincidence, Emhoff spoke to Georgetown Law School students shortly before a preening Trump announced Willkie Farr's surrender on social media. 'The rule of law is under attack. Democracy is under attack,' Emhoff said. 'And so, all of us lawyers need to do what we can to push back on that. Us lawyers have always been on the front lines, fighting for civil rights, for justice. ... I love being a lawyer, this is what we do: We fight for people. We fight for what's right.' Emhoff subsequently made known his unhappiness with the firm's capitulation, though he's stopped short of quitting — as some have urged — to protest its bended knee. 'I disagree with the decision that my firm made to settle — I do,' he said at a recent Los Angeles fundraiser for Bet Tzedek, a legal aid organization Emhoff has supported for more than 30 years. 'I wanted them to fight a patently unconstitutional potential executive order. 'Our legal system depends on the willingness of institutions — law firms, clients — to stand firm, and stand together,' he went on. 'They need to do that in the face of pressure and we need to do it to defend the principles that define our democracy. 'At this very critical moment, I urge my colleagues across the legal profession to remain vigilant, engaged and unafraid to challenge actions that may erode our fundamental rights.' Emhoff's summons was a clarion call, crisp and clear. Would that a certain resident of the vice presidential mansion add her public voice to the fight to preserve the rule of law and protect our imperiled democracy.
