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Law Practice

Sep. 1, 2023

In Latham boycott, Musk raises issues between a firm’s clients and pro bono work

Companies and in-house counsel rarely allow a firm’s pro bono work to influence their decisions when choosing legal representation, but two big Bay Area tech CEOs — Elon Musk and Gary Tan — have objected to Latham & Watkins counseling in a case that has halted clearing of homeless camps.

In Latham boycott, Musk raises issues between a firm’s clients and pro bono work
Alfred C. Pfeiffer Jr. leads a team of Latham & Watkins lawyers challenging San Francisco's anti-camping law.

Elon Musk’s call for companies to boycott his former legal counsel to protest its involvement in a lawsuit to stop San Francisco from clearing up homeless camps has highlighted the balance law firms must try to maintain between pro bono work and relations with their fee-paying clients.

Although it is rare for firms to lose a client over a pro bono case, it does happen.

Keith C. Wetmore, San Francisco managing dir...

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