Like any other work of journalism, this book would not exist were it not for the sources who spent hours patiently recounting to me the events I’ve described (as well as many others that didn’t make the final cut). More than a few people—in particular some who currently work at Jones Day—risked their jobs by speaking to me, and I am especially grateful for their trust.
This book is a project of the pandemic, a period in which many of us have endured prolonged periods of painful isolation. I feel blessed to have largely avoided this fate. The help and camaraderie of a wonderful group of family, friends, and colleagues kept me sane and made this book possible.
As Trump and his allies lied about the results of the 2020 election, my New York Times colleagues Rachel Abrams and Jessica Silver-Greenberg and I wrote an article about Jones Day’s work for the Trump campaign. Rachel and Jessica are masters at identifying sources and persuading them to talk, and when I began researching this book, they handed off some of these people to me—an act of generosity that gave me a running start. Other Times colleagues—including Mike Schmidt, Emily Steel, Matt Goldstein, Jesse Drucker, Sue Dominus, Jim Stewart, Kashmir Hill, and Katie Rosman—provided reporting assistance, advice, and/or encouragement. Jessica Silver-Greenberg and Emily Flitter read the manuscript. Their edits were golden and saved me from embarrassing mistakes.
I’m grateful to Ellen Pollock for permitting me to work on this project (and for regaling me with tales about the American Lawyer). I’m indebted to the many colleagues—including Rich Barbieri (another American Lawyer alum), Mohammed Hadi, Virginia Hughes, Dagny Salas, Sharon O’Neal, Dave Schmidt, Justin Swanson, Ashwin Seshagiri, and Greg Schmidt—who picked up my slack at points along the way. Thank you as well to A. G. Sulzberger, Dean Baquet, Joe Kahn, Matt Purdy, Carolyn Ryan, and Rebecca Blumenstein for their leadership of the Times.
A handful of good friends deserve special acknowledgment. Mark and Lisa have been regular sounding boards and sources of stability (and of a car, which they lent me so I could collect documents from a source). Carolina and Tom were enthusiastic backers of this project. Jason, Brad, Matt, and Ed were sparring partners as I tested the book’s themes. And Dominic, Kevin, Pete, and Ray felt like a second family. I am grateful for all of you.
My agent Dan Mandel has been a loyal and savvy advocate for seven years, and he was a consistent source of encouragement about this project.
At Mariner Books and HarperCollins, thank you to Peter Hubbard, who immediately embraced this book and deftly edited and championed it. Molly Gendell kept everything running smoothly and dealt with my annoyingly regular requests for other HarperCollins titles. Karen Richardson expertly copyedited. Maureen Cole helped drum up publicity, and Tavia Kowalchuk handled marketing. Kyran Cassidy and Rachel McGhee provided a vigorous legal scrubbing and handled incoming flak. Thank you as well to Liate Stehlik and Ben Steinberg.
This brings me to my family.
Carole Paul and Albert Leutwyler lent me their Manhattan apartment to use as a refuge for writing. Lisa Benhammou has been an unflappable source of support.
My father, Peter Enrich, a recently retired Northeastern University law professor, helped me appreciate the power of the law and the legal profession at a young age. He read an early draft of this book and offered superb advice. My mother, Dr. Peggy Enrich, a psychologist, helped me understand the mindsets of the book’s characters (and chauffeured me on a Jones Day recon mission). This book is dedicated to both of you.
Liza and Jay and Nick and Jords are always there for me. A special shout-out to Zander and Hazel for being my biggest boosters.
Henry and Jasper: You have had to endure way too many mornings, evenings, and weekends with your dad working. I am eternally grateful for your patience, love, and curiosity, about the book-writing process and everything else (Pokémon, baseball, cooking, Sing 2, technology, skiing). I adore you both and am so proud of who you are. And Milkshake, I love you, too.
Kirsten: When I first mentioned this project to you in late 2020, I could practically see the conflicting emotions colliding in your brain. You liked the idea but instantly recognized what this would mean for you: more work, more stress, less husband. Still, you got on board and did not waver, even as you lost your father. Throughout, you provided me with sage edits and, just as important, reassurance that the book did not suck.
For all that and so much more, thank you, Kirsten. I love you.