Law Firms Revoke Job Offers to Harvard, Columbia Students Over Public Statements - Articles

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Law Firms Revoke Job Offers to Harvard, Columbia Students Over Public Statements

Posted by: Paul Burch on Oct 18, 2023

U.S. law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell rescinded job offers last month to law students who signed on to public statements condemning Israel in the wake of Hamas’ deadly attacks, Reuters reports. The announcement follows a similar move by law firm Winston & Strawn. Davis Polk's managing partner, Neil Barr, told firm members that it had revoked job offers to three law students in leadership positions in Harvard and Columbia university groups that issued statements regarding to the latest wave of violence in the Middle East, according to an internal email obtained by Reuters. “These statements are simply contrary to our firm’s values,” wrote Barr, “and we thus concluded that rescinding these offers was appropriate in upholding our responsibility to provide a safe and inclusive work environment for all Davis Polk employees.” Barr’s email said the firm is remaining “in dialogue” with two of the students to consider any additional information they may offer.