Latham & Watkins lawyer appears in new HBO comedy series and says experience was ‘pretty good’

Andrew Clubok, the global chair of the securities and mergers and acquisitions litigation practice at Latham & Watkins, has transitioned from the high-stakes environment of corporate boardrooms to the satirical world of premium cable television. In a move that highlights the increasingly blurred lines between legal professionals and the entertainment industry, Clubok recently appeared in a featured role on HBO’s latest series, Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America. Created by the legendary comedian and writer Larry David, the series offers a comedic, "almost" historical lens through which to view American milestones, and Clubok’s contribution brings a unique blend of legal gravitas and deadpan humor to the production.

Dividing his time between the Washington, D.C., and New York offices of one of the world’s most prestigious law firms, Clubok is widely recognized for representing blue-chip clients, including Meta, Amazon, American Airlines, and General Motors. His foray into acting, while unexpected for a litigator of his stature, aligns with his personal philosophy regarding professional growth. Clubok frequently advises junior associates and law students to embrace curiosity and seek out opportunities that challenge their traditional boundaries. By participating in a satirical recreation of a pivotal moment in American political history, Clubok has modeled the very "stretch" opportunities he encourages in others.

The Role: A Satirical Glimpse into the Army-McCarthy Hearings

In the third episode of the series, Clubok portrays U.S. Senator Charles E. Potter of Michigan. The scene is a stylized, satirical recreation of the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings, a watershed moment in the history of the United States Senate and the Cold War. In this comedic iteration, Larry David portrays the infamous Senator Joseph McCarthy as an unhinged figure who aggressively criticizes everyone in his orbit, including Potter.

Senator Charles E. Potter, whom Clubok portrays, was a notable historical figure—a World War II hero who lost both of his legs in combat. In the context of the show, Clubok plays the role with a deadpan sensibility, serving as a foil to David’s manic McCarthy. The scene also features veteran actor Michael McKean as Joseph Welch, the chief counsel for the U.S. Army. McKean delivers the iconic line that historically signaled the beginning of McCarthy’s downfall: “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”

Clubok’s performance is characterized by a commitment to the reality of the scene, even as the dialogue veers into the preposterous. Most of the script for the segment was minimal, consisting of roughly half a page of text, which required the performers to rely heavily on improvisation. For a litigator accustomed to the spontaneous nature of cross-examinations and oral arguments, this format proved to be a natural, if surreal, fit.

Professional Background and Legal Career of Andrew Clubok

To understand the magnitude of this career detour, one must consider Clubok’s standing in the legal community. As the global chair of the securities and M&A litigation practice at Latham & Watkins, Clubok oversees a department that handles some of the most complex and high-stakes legal battles in the world. Latham & Watkins is consistently ranked as one of the highest-grossing law firms globally, and its litigation department is a cornerstone of its international reputation.

Clubok has spent more than 30 years practicing law, building a portfolio that includes defending major corporations against class-action lawsuits, navigating regulatory investigations, and advising boards of directors on fiduciary duties. His work for Meta (formerly Facebook) and Amazon has placed him at the center of modern antitrust and securities debates. The shift from defending a multi-billion-dollar tech giant to engaging in an improvisational shouting match with Larry David underscores a versatile intellect and a willingness to engage with popular culture.

Despite his lack of prior acting experience, Clubok’s legal background provided a foundation for his performance. He noted that the improvisational format of the show shared similarities with courtroom litigation, where attorneys must react in real-time to witness testimony or judicial questioning. However, he also highlighted a key difference: in the television world, a director can call for a second take to ensure a line is "funnier," a luxury rarely afforded to litigators by federal judges.

Historical Context: The 1954 Army-McCarthy Hearings

The choice of the Army-McCarthy hearings as a subject for Larry David’s satire is significant. These hearings were among the first televised congressional proceedings, reaching millions of American households and forever changing the relationship between the government and the media. The real-life Senator Charles E. Potter was a member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and was one of the Republicans who eventually turned against McCarthy, criticizing the Senator’s methods and his impact on the institution of the Senate.

By placing a modern, high-profile lawyer into this historical recreation, the show creates a layer of meta-commentary on the intersection of law, politics, and performance. The 1954 hearings were, in many ways, the first "legal reality show," where the persona of the participants mattered as much as the evidence presented. Joseph Welch’s "sense of decency" remark is often cited as the moment when the public’s perception of McCarthy shifted, demonstrating the power of a single, well-timed rhetorical blow—a concept familiar to any seasoned litigator like Clubok.

The Connection Between Latham & Watkins and the Entertainment Industry

Clubok’s path to the HBO set was not entirely accidental. His relationship with Larry David began in a professional capacity; Clubok has represented David in legal matters and served as a legal adviser for the final season of the long-running hit series Curb Your Enthusiasm. During that season, the show featured a multi-episode arc involving a trial with a circus-like atmosphere, for which Clubok provided technical guidance to ensure the legal proceedings, however absurd, maintained a veneer of procedural reality.

The transition from "behind-the-scenes adviser" to "on-screen talent" was facilitated by a personal connection with the show’s lead writer. Clubok admits that he initially expected to be an extra—a "background player" with no lines. However, his friendship with the production team and his previous work with David led to the more substantial role of Senator Potter. Clubok’s credit can be found in the final episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, though he jokes that viewers must be exceptionally quick with the freeze-frame button to catch his name.

Analysis of the Intersection of Law and Popular Culture

The appearance of a prominent attorney in a major television production is part of a broader trend where legal professionals engage with the public through non-traditional media. In the past, the "lawyer-celebrity" was often limited to those involved in sensationalist criminal trials. Today, however, corporate attorneys and specialists in complex litigation are finding platforms in podcasts, documentaries, and even scripted entertainment.

For Clubok, the experience served as a reminder of the importance of storytelling in the legal profession. Whether a lawyer is addressing a jury or an actor is addressing a camera, the goal is to convey a narrative that is compelling and believable. The "pretty, pretty, pretty good" experience—a nod to Larry David’s signature catchphrase—suggests that the skills required for high-stakes litigation (preparation, presence, and the ability to think on one’s feet) are transferable to the world of improvisational comedy.

Broader Impact and Industry Reactions

Within the legal community, Clubok’s cameo has been met with a mixture of amusement and admiration. It is rare for a partner at a "Magic Circle" or "White Shoe" firm to participate in such a public and comedic venture. While some traditionalists might view it as a departure from the somber image typically associated with global chairs of litigation, many younger lawyers see it as a refreshing break from the perceived rigidity of Big Law.

Latham & Watkins has not issued an official corporate statement regarding Clubok’s acting debut, but the firm’s culture has historically encouraged partners to engage in diverse intellectual and community pursuits. Clubok’s participation in the series also serves as an unintentional marketing tool, humanizing the face of a firm that often deals with the most scrutinized and controversial corporate entities in the world.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

As for whether Andrew Clubok will trade his law books for scripts permanently, the attorney remains committed to his primary vocation. He has stated that he is "very happy being a lawyer" and has no immediate plans to pursue a full-time acting career. However, he also noted that the experience taught him "never to say never."

Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America continues to air on HBO, bringing a mix of historical revisionism and trademark Larry David humor to audiences. For the legal community, the series will be remembered not just for its comedic value, but for the moment one of its most formidable litigators sat in the halls of a simulated Senate, proving that even in the most serious of professions, there is always room for a little improvisation.

The episode featuring Clubok stands as a testament to the idea that professional expertise does not have to be a silo. In an era where "the brand of the lawyer" is increasingly important, Clubok’s foray into television demonstrates that being "prepared and curious" can lead to opportunities that are, indeed, "pretty, pretty good."