From Kirkland & Ellis to Latham & Watkins - What They Need to Learn about Politics from Dr. Oz

 Part of the reason Dr. Oz nailed the PA GOP primary for the US Senate is this: He took the off ramp from his conventional thinking that helped create his celebrity status. As Bloomberg details, Oz disconnected from his Oprah Winfrey relationship. (That could have also been brutally opportunistic since she is fading.)

Along with the drifting away from Oprah closeness, Oz ditched Oprah's sunny world view. Some would label that mindset as toxic positivity. From an Eastern European family with a suicide gene, I was indeed skeptical about Oprah's recommended bubble-bath therapy. And more.

What Oz embraced was combat. He identified the right enemies (a classic in political action). He wormed his way into Fox News, then became a welcome guest. Although not pure in his conservative ideology, he built enough points of intersection with MAGA to make Donald Trump a supporter. 

Progressive law firms might have more overall influence on political and social issues if they borrow some pages from Oz's playbook. Currently they operate much as an ideological closed system. Their stances are so predictable. Usually they lack nuance. 

Let them consider this: Sharing their wealth with financial donations to conservative politicos and missions.

Blue Tent reports these are the top 5 contributors to the Democratic Party:

Paul Weiss

Kirkland & Ellis

Akin, Gump

Latham & Watkins

WilmerHale

Money talks. Actually it's the loudest voice in the corridors of power and influence.

Suppose those law firms extend their contributions to what's right of center. That gives them the way in to present their ideologies. If they position and package their messages right they will be heard. That should be a piece of cake for them. After all they win gigantic lawsuits through trials and settlements. That involves genius in presentation skills. 

In addition, like Oz, they can penetrate the all-important conservative media outlets like Fox News. Do that also right and they can become regular guests. 

There is plenty of precedent for liberals on Fox, documents Variety. Those already include Jeanine Pirro, Harold Ford Jr., Geraldo Rivera, and Jessica Tarlov.  In addition, leaders from progressive law firms would also be reaching their traditional Democratic base. Politico outs the dirty little secret that many liberals, especially those in the younger demographics, make a habit of watching Fox.

There can also be social connections. Politicos are social animals.

Rainmaking is mandatory for getting, holding, and growing power (as well as PPP) in law firms. That entails lots of entertaining. Sure, have conservatives at both the gala events and the intimate posh dinners. Bring them to the golf course and out hunting. I did communications assignments for a partner who had to scramble around quickly to get a hunting license to accompany the client in that fav hobby. 

And, yesyesyes, identify common enemies. 

For 17 months I have resided in a pocket of TrumpVille in the southwest. There was nothing to gain by direct opposition. Becoming an open system brought in social connections and business. 

Connect with Editor-in-Chief Jane Genova at janegenova374@gmail.com. She helps businesses conjure up magic in their storytelling. One client said, "She makes shipping containers ‘sexy.’"

 

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