In the wake of serious sexual misconduct allegations against former Congressman Eric Swalwell, a notable donation by a Biglaw firm’s political action committee (PAC) is drawing sharp criticism and raising questions about the due diligence practices within the legal community.

Eric Swalwell, once a prominent figure in Democratic politics and a vocal opponent of former President Trump, saw his career unravel after a CNN investigation published on April 10, 2026, detailed allegations of sexual misconduct. Among the claims, a former staffer accused Swalwell of rape during a period of heavy intoxication, an allegation accompanied by descriptions of physical evidence of the assault. Additional reports involved other women who accused Swalwell of sending unsolicited explicit messages and photos. Following the surfacing of these allegations, Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial campaign on April 12 and resigned from Congress two days later.

Despite the public nature of these allegations, the DLA Piper PAC made a controversial $5,000 contribution to Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign on April 13, a decision that occurred after the campaign suspension and just one day before Swalwell’s resignation from Congress. This contribution has sparked a backlash, considering the timing and the severity of the allegations already in the public domain.

The legal community, particularly donors from firms such as Susman Godfrey and Hanson Bridgett, expressed shock and regret over their support for Swalwell, with some, like Hanson Bridgett's managing partner Kristina Lawson, making public statements condemning the misconduct and voicing regret over previous contributions.

The DLA Piper PAC's decision stands out not only for its timing but also for the apparent disregard for the weight of the allegations, raising ethical concerns and prompting a reevaluation of political contributions by major law firms. William Minor, the managing partner of DLA Piper’s Washington, D.C., office and treasurer of the PAC, has yet to comment on the matter.

This incident has underscored the potential reputational risks associated with political donations in the legal sector, particularly when such contributions are made without thorough scrutiny of the recipient’s background and current controversies. It also highlights the broader implications for how law firms engage with political figures and causes, emphasizing the need for a more cautious and principled approach to political involvement.

As the legal community continues to process this event, the focus turns to the importance of maintaining ethical standards and supporting the integrity of the rule of law, principles that many in Biglaw hold dear. The situation serves as a poignant reminder of the due diligence necessary in all aspects of legal practice, extending into the political arena.