President Donald Trump announced agreements with five prominent law firms to provide hundreds of millions of dollars in free legal services for causes supported by his administration. The firms, including Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Latham & Watkins LLP, will each offer $125 million in pro bono work for initiatives such as veterans affairs and combating anti-Semitism. Additionally, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft will dedicate $100 million in pro bono services.
In return, the White House will withdraw letters from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission probing discriminatory hiring practices at these firms. The agreements also require the firms to disavow any “illegal” diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations in hiring and to accept clients regardless of political beliefs.
The executive orders issued by Trump have targeted law firms, threatening to strip security clearances, limit access to federal buildings, and terminate federal contracts. Several firms have sought to avoid sanctions by reaching deals with the administration, while others, like Susman Godfrey, have sued to block the orders.
The actions taken by Trump against law firms are part of a broader effort to reshape civil society and extract concessions from entities he disagrees with. Some firms targeted have associations with lawyers who have investigated Trump or represented prominent Democrats. Despite legal challenges from firms like WilmerHale and Jenner & Block, Trump has succeeded in striking deals with major players in the legal community.
The Associated Press will continue to cover President Trump’s actions and their impact on the legal sector.
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