Brad S. Karp, Chairman, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind,

What are some of your proudest recent achievements? I am most proud of how we are leveraging our platform at Paul, Weiss to pursue crucial social justice initiatives and safeguard the rule of law. In recent years, we have used both our resources and our leadership position in the legal industry to confront a series of national threats and to coalesce the private bar around key pro bono efforts. In addition to more than doubling our pro bono time, we have developed innovative ways of maximizing our impact, whether we are protecting immigrant families, women's reproductive freedoms, the LGBTQ community, voting rights, or fighting the epidemic of gun violence. 

What does it mean to be a leader? Being a leader means being guided by what is right and having the moral courage to lead others to follow. I am fortunate to lead a firm comprised of professionals who are just as committed as I am to do the right thing in every circumstance, to stand up for the rule of law, social justice and human rights.

Name a lawyer or mentor whose leadership inspired you. I am indebted to the late Arthur Liman, who led Paul, Weiss during my formative years as a lawyer. Arthur embodied the very best of our profession: He was a brilliant litigator, trial lawyer and corporate advisor who saw the law as a noble profession and not just as a commercial enterprise. He inculcated in me the belief that giving back to the community and safeguarding the rule of law is an essential part of what it means to be a lawyer.

How are the business and profession of law changing, and how should lawyers adapt for the future? The profession of law is at risk of being overwhelmed by the business of law. This transformation will accelerate as AI and machine-learning capabilities increasingly replace human capital and as client pressure on fees intensifies. At many firms, a single-minded obsession with the bottom line is eroding core values of pro bono, community engagement, diversity and professionalism. While we must embrace AI and continuously find new and better ways to improve our value proposition for our clients, we must never lose sight of our values and our broader obligations to our communities.

What is the best advice for someone considering a career in law, or someone already in the profession who is seeking to make a greater impact? Identify what you enjoy most and find most fulfilling, and dedicate your energies to the pursuit of those interests. Look for opportunities to distinguish yourself and identify mentors who can inspire and teach you. It is possible to build a successful private practice and to play an important role in giving back to the community. I have given this advice to my daughter, who is now a sixth-year litigation associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.