Legal AF by MeidasTouch Legal AF Special Report - 12/24/2025
Dec 25, 2025
David O'Keefe, a former Manhattan prosecutor known for pioneering data-driven prosecution, shares his inspiring journey of activism against the law firm Skadden for their ties to Trump. He recounts the details of his protests, including confrontations with security and an arrest for defending First Amendment rights. O'Keefe discusses his lawsuit against Brookfield and the NYPD for wrongful arrest, emphasizing the importance of civic action. His call to action highlights that every individual can contribute to change by standing up for justice.
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Solo Protest Against A Law Firm
- David O'Keefe stood alone outside Skadden with a sign protesting the firm's $100 million deal supporting the Trump administration.
- He was arrested for protesting in a privately owned public space and later had the trespass charge dismissed.
POPS Blur Public Access Rights
- Privately owned public spaces (POPS) look public but are privately controlled and cover millions of square feet in NYC.
- That blurred ownership allows property managers to try to restrict speech despite public-access obligations.
Institutions' Capitulation Shifts Burden
- Institutional trust can erode when elite firms publicly align with controversial regimes.
- That perceived failure shifts responsibility to citizens and smaller actors to defend democratic norms.