5 law firms cut deals with Trump involving $600M in pro bono work – Washington Examiner
Five prominent law firms have entered into agreements with the Trump management to provide a total of $600 million in pro bono legal services to support causes endorsed by President Donald Trump. This move comes after Trump accused these firms of misusing the legal system against him and criticized their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices.
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft will contribute $100 million, while Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, A&O Shearman, and simpson Thacher & Bartlett will each donate $125 million in free legal services. Together, these law firms, along with four others, will provide a total of $940 million in pro bono work and have agreed to eliminate their DEI initiatives.
The agreements require that the firms do not deny legal representation based on personal political beliefs and that they actively provide services across the political spectrum, particularly focusing on veterans, first responders, and issues like antisemitism. This initiative follows letters sent by the Trump administration in March addressing the law firms’ DEI efforts, which were seen as partisan.
Some firms, such as Paul, Weiss, and WilmerHale, have opposed these orders by suing the administration and securing temporary restraining orders, citing concerns over violations of free speech and due process rights.
5 law firms cut deals with Trump involving $600 million in pro bono work to avoid punishment
Five major law firms reached agreements with the White House to provide $600 million in pro bono work to causes supported by President Donald Trump, who accused the firms of weaponizing the legal system against him and engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring practices.
Cadwalader, Wickersham, & Taft agreed to provide $100 million in free legal work, while Kirkland & Eillis, Latham & Watkins, A&O Shearman, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett each agreed to provide $125 million in pro-bono work.
“President Trump and his Administration have entered into an agreement with these long established firms, which have affirmed their strong commitment to ending the Weaponization of the Justice System and the Legal Profession,” the White House said in a statement. “The President continues to fulfill his promise to the American People that the Age of Partisan Lawfare in America is OVER.”
The law firms joined four others in striking deals to avoid punishment. The nine firms provided a combined total of $940 million in free legal services and agreed to end their DEI directives.
The lawyers of the law firms cannot deny providing legal representation based on their “personal political views,” according to Trump. The firms must provide pro-bono work to clients who “represent the full political spectrum, including Conservative ideals.”
Trump said in posts on Truth Social that the law firms are likely to represent veterans and other public servants, including members of the military, Gold Star families, law enforcement, and first responders. He said they will also take on cases aimed at combating antisemitism and promoting “fairness in our justice system.”
The Trump administration sent letters to 20 law firms in March condemning their DEI efforts. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission cited the firms’ hiring initiatives and public targets to increase the number of women and minorities within their ranks.
Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, A&O Shearman, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett were among the companies that received letters. Cadwalader, Wickersham, & Taft, while not named in an executive order, was also targeted by the Trump administration after it refused to allow former partner Todd Blanche to represent Trump as a client.
HERE ARE THE LAWSUITS TARGETING TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS
The law firms Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; Willkie Farr & Gallagher; and Milbank have reached agreements with the Trump administration following executive orders that would bar them from representing clients in cases involving the government and revoke their attorneys’ security clearances.
Meanwhile, three firms — Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, and Jenner & Block — have sued the administration and obtained a temporary restraining order against the executive order, indicating that judges found likely violations of constitutional protections for free speech and due process.
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