The NFL Players Association will attack the Tom Brady suspension both on the question of whether NFL rules permit the punishment and on the issue of whether fair and appropriate procedures were used by the league.
On the latter point, the NFLPA will focus on the role of Paul, Weiss, Rifkin, Wharton & Garrison. Initially hired to conduct an “independent” investigation via partner Ted Wells, the firm eventually became an advocate for the NFL’s position, participating in the appeal hearing.
Specifically, the NFLPA claims that Paul, Weiss partner Lorin Reisner (pictured) sat at counsel table with the NFL, “conducted the vast majority of witness examinations (including Brady’s), and otherwise defended Brady’s discipline even though his personal work on the Wells Report was being reviewed, and even though his law partner Wells testified at the hearing.