Donald Trump recently announced that five prominent law firms have agreed to provide his administration with $600 million in pro bono legal services. This move has stirred significant conversation as it comes amid Trump’s ongoing criticism of the legal profession.
The firms involved are Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Allen & Overy, Shearman & Sterling, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. Together, they have committed a total of $940 million in legal assistance, showcasing their influence in the U.S. legal landscape.
Trump’s decision seems to have created divides among major firms in the country. While over 500 firms recently joined an amicus brief supporting a legal challenge against executive orders targeting Perkins Coie, many of the firms entering this new agreement were noticeably absent from that coalition.
Each of the four firms—Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Allen & Overy, and Simpson Thacher—has dedicated $125 million in pro bono services. Cadwalader pledged $100 million, highlighting its connection to Todd Blanche, who left the firm to represent Trump in criminal cases. Blanche is now the deputy attorney general.
The agreement also includes assurances that the firms will not consider race in hiring. Trump emphasized this point in a recent post, claiming the firms would ensure representation for clients from politically marginalized groups.
As part of the deal, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) agreed to withdraw a letter that raised concerns about diversity practices at these firms. Critics, including former EEOC officials, have expressed that the inquiry lacked legal grounding.
This latest arrangement follows similar pacts made by other firms such as Paul Weiss, Skadden, Milbank, and Willkie, Farr & Gallagher. Observers argue these decisions may empower Trump, raising alarms about potential intimidation within the legal field.
The broader implications of these agreements are already evident, as firms have begun removing references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from their websites to align with the administration’s stance. This trend has sparked a range of user reactions on social media, highlighting the public’s mixed feelings about Trump’s influence on legal practices.
As legal battles persist, with firms like Perkins Coie and others successfully blocking some of Trump’s executive actions, the situation remains dynamic. For more insights into this ongoing story and the legal landscape, you can read about U.S. law firms quietly scrubbing DEI references or explore the executive order affecting the law firm linked to the Fox defamation suit.
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