With political polarization on the rise, law firms are no longer immune to the effects. Professor Robin Fretwell Wilson spoke to The American Lawyer about how law firms might proactively manage political divisiveness among partners and employees. 

Regarding work on polarizing pro bono matters, Wilson said conscience clauses have for years allowed law firms to absolve conscientious objectors of their involvement in issues like same-sex marriage.

“Firms can say we don’t want people working on things where they’re not committed to the outcome they’re pursuing.”

And some firms—likely smaller firms—may choose to openly lean right or left, letting lawyers self-select into and out of the firm, said one Am Law managing partner.

“I think it will be an identity marker and an opportunity for firms to grab parts of the market,” Wilson said, adding that most are unlikely to take that approach.

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