A Tale From the Firm Halls: Bumping Into a Part of History

[WSJ Law Blog]

Editor’s Note: In response to our interview on Monday with Ted Sorensen, the special advisor to JFK and international lawyer at Paul Weiss, we received this comment, below, from someone who identified him/herself as a former Paul Weiss associate. We can’t vouch for its veracity. But if true, it’s a poignant tale about the perceived corporate canyon between young associates and the luminaries on the letterhead at large firms, and how two lawyers bridged it, if only for a moment or two.



I worked at Paul, Weiss and had the great pleasure to talk with Ted Sorensen on two occasions.

The first conversation took place as Ted walked out of an elevator onto the floor on which we both had offices. I noticed him struggling to find his way in the dim elevator bank (his sight had been damaged by a stroke several years earlier) and I helped him exit the elevator area and I walked with him down the hallway toward his office.

I introduced myself and earnestly (if not perhaps a bit embarrassingly) explained that I was aware of his government service and deeply admired him. I suspect I was not the first young associate to fawn over Ted but he responded as though such praise was rare. When we reached his office he invited me in to continue our discussion but I demurred. He reiterated that he appreciated my kind words and invited me to return anytime to talk.

Approximately one year later, I again found myself in the elevator bank with Ted. This time we were both heading downstairs– he to go home, or at least leave the building for the day; me to pace the sidewalks momentarily and wring my hands over the most recent perceived mini-disaster common to biglaw litigation.

I reminded Ted of our chat a year earlier. We talked briefly about Barack Obama and I noticed a warmth and genuine enthusiasm in his face that I have rarely seen in the face of an old man (especially an old lawyer).

We walked slowly toward the building’s exit, and after we stepped out onto 51st Street, he stopped and leaned close to me, trying to focus on my face. He addressed me by my first name and said something close to, “It has been very nice talking with you again and I look forward to next year’s chat.”

He smiled broadly at what he clearly thought was a clever remark and shuffled off.