Sunday morning comics, once cherished childhood memories filled with the likes of Garfield and Calvin, now serve up a slice of satire with the latest Doonesbury strip diving deep into the world of Biglaw, particularly targeting firms like Skadden and Willkie for their controversial dealings.

In its 54th year, Doonesbury continues to tackle hot political issues, and this week's strip didn't hold back. Dubbed “Biglaw surrendergate,” the comic skewers some of the most prestigious law firms, criticizing them for their perceived lack of backbone in ethical scenarios. Though only Skadden and Willkie were named directly, the strip cleverly implies that other major firms like Paul Weiss, Milbank, Kirkland, and Latham are equally culpable, hiding in spirit behind the actions of their peers.

The storyline introduces us to Joanie, a recurring character, catching up with her law school roommate Ginny. Ginny, having moved on from both Skadden and Willkie due to ethical disagreements, now finds herself at Grandison. This firm, although fictional, is depicted as having capitulated to the Trump administration by committing a staggering $100 million to defend cases of police brutality—a commitment so audaciously met through the invention of a $50 million billable hour.

This sharp critique in comic form highlights the ongoing tension between profit motives and ethical lawyering within top law firms. It's a clever integration of serious real-world issues into a format traditionally reserved for light-hearted entertainment, suggesting that the implications of these firms' actions are anything but a laughing matter—even if they have become the butt of jokes.

The comic strip, which is available online, not only provides a moment of levity but also a poignant critique, reminding readers and the legal community about the ongoing ethical debates that swirl around the highest echelons of corporate law.

In the world of Doonesbury, no topic is too sacred, and no controversy is off-limits. The inclusion of Biglaw in the funny pages underscores the pervasive nature of these issues and the widespread scrutiny they attract. Congratulations to the featured firms: you've made it to the funny pages, but perhaps not in the way you might have hoped.