The prominent international law firm, which has been involved in several controversies throughout recent history, reportedly helped prepare at least two university officials to testify before Congress about anti-Semitism on campus last week.
WilmerHale, a prominent Washington, D.C., law firm, was formed through the 2004 merger of Washington-based Wilmer Cutler Pickering and Boston-based Hale & Dole, and was founded in the last House of Representatives. Leaders at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania prepared for the testimony. The New York Times reported that a week was spent in contention over whether to discipline a student who called for the genocide of Jews.
The paper said that the then-presidents of both schools, Claudine Gay of Harvard University and Liz McGill of the University of Pennsylvania, were separately preparing their congressional testimony with the WilmerHale team and wrote in their report that they had detailed information about the situation. Two unidentified people have been named.
According to sources who spoke to the media, WilmerHale also met with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) President Sally Kornbluth.
House approves resolution calling for MIT and Harvard University presidents to resign after anti-Semitic testimony
Harvard University President Dr. Claudine Gay (left), then-University of Pennsylvania President Liz McGill, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Dr. Sally Kornbluth (right) testified before the House Education and Labor Committee. Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC, December 5, 2023 (Getty Images)
Known for its work defending people facing government investigations, the law firm has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, and has a long list of high-profile clients embroiled in high-profile controversies. I have a list.
The firm represented former President Richard Nixon during his battle with Congress over the Watergate tapes and during the government’s investigation into the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Represented oil giant BP PLC.
Apart from large-scale controversies, WilmerHale has experience working with universities to alleviate specific crises.
At last Tuesday’s hearing, WilmerHale’s attorneys were present and sat in the front row. Attendees included Alyssa D’Acuña, head of the firm’s Congressional Investigations and Crisis Management practice, and Felicia Ellsworth, vice chair of the firm’s litigation and disputes practice.
The report said Mr. DaCunha and Mr. Ellsworth were involved in preparing Mr. Gay and Mr. McGill ahead of the hearing, and that “each school would independently hire Mr. Wilmer Hale, and the firm would prepare each president. A separate team has been established for this purpose.”
WilmerHale did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
McGill, who had served as Penn’s president since July 2022, resigned after the hearing, when several members challenged the president on issues of anti-Semitism on their respective campuses.
At a hearing on anti-Semitism, Gay, McGill and Kornbluth asked Rep. Elise Stefanik, RN.Y., whether calls for the genocide of Jews violated the groups’ policies on bullying and harassment. ), all of them gave “evasive” answers. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
McGill’s resignation comes after she failed to comment during her testimony on whether calls for the genocide of Jews violated university policy, a position for which she was heavily criticized. was exposed to.
The day after the hearing, McGill retracted her comment In a video posted to There was a moment when I was asked, and at that moment I was focused on our policy.”The university’s long-standing policy is in line with the U.S. Constitution, which states that speech alone is not punishable. ”
“I didn’t take note of the irrefutable fact that the call for genocide of the Jews is a call to some of the most horrific violence human beings can commit, but I should have.” she added. Video message for December 6th.
Stefanik slams Harvard University for ‘total moral failure’ after allowing Claudine Gay to remain president
Rep. Elise StefanikThe New York Republican Party, whose exchange with McGill during the hearing quickly spread on social media, denounced the president’s video as a “pathetic public relations sweep attempt.”
“This pathetic PR cleanup attempt by Penn surprisingly took over 24 hours to correct the moral depravity of yesterday’s sworn response,” Stefanik wrote in a post on And there was not even an apology. By the way, the question was repeated over and over again.”
“No statement corrects what the world saw and heard yesterday,” the New York congressman added.
At a hearing on anti-Semitism, McGill, Gay, and Kornbluth later said what Stefanik had said. “Avoidant and negative” When asked if calls for the genocide of Jews violated the institution’s policy on bullying and harassment, she replied:
Stefanik attends a hearing of the House Education and Labor Committee in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2023. (Jiang Haiyun/Bloomberg)
“If speech turns into action, it can be harassment. That’s right,” McGill said, later adding, “It depends on the circumstances.”
“Maybe, depending on the circumstances,” Gay replied.
In response to the question, Kornbluth said harassment is only considered when it is “targeted at an individual and not publicly spoken about” and when it is “pervasive and severe.”
“MIT and our President Sally Kornbluth reject all forms of anti-Semitism,” an MIT spokesperson said in a previous statement to Fox News Digital, citing a statement from the school’s board of trustees. It pointed out.
“Massachusetts Institute of Technology selected Sally for her outstanding academic leadership, judgment, integrity, moral compass, and ability to unite our community around MIT’s core values. She has done a great job leading our community. “We are tackling anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hatred, and at MIT we are completely eliminating them. “She has our full and unpaid support,” MIT Corporation wrote.
of Harvard University On Tuesday, hours after the resolution was introduced, he reaffirmed his support for gay people, saying he would “help heal our community and address the very serious social issues we face.” He is the perfect leader.”
On Wednesday evening, the House of Representatives voted 303-126 to pass a bipartisan resolution calling on the presidents of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to resign after testifying to Congress.
Palestinian supporters gather at Harvard University to show support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during a rally in Cambridge, Massachusetts, October 14, 2023. (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)
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“President McGill has resigned. Other presidents should follow suit,” the resolution said, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass.
Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
