2025 Trump Pressures Pro Bono Work from Top Law Firms

- 18 April, 2025

Five more law firms agree to pro bono work to avoid punitive executive orders

As of April 11^th, Cadwalader and Latham & Watkins and several law firms will be providing up to $600 million in pro bono work to Trump-backed causes.

Trump claims that and additional five major law firms reached an agreement together to provide the administration with a millions in pro bono legal work. This was to avoid any potential retaliation with executive orders that could have negative effects on the firms included.

The five firms included in this issue are Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, Simpson Thatcher & Barlett, and lastly Cadwalader. These mentioned are some of the most prestigious law firms in the US currently.

Continued Efforts By Firms Within the US

This ongoing attack from the administration is dividing the most powerful firms across the US. As of last week, there were 500 firms that are participating in a brief to punish Perkins Coie for its participation in executive orders. But the firms previously stated were mysteriously absent from the brief.

Four of the firms agree to pledge $125 million in pro bono work backing causes that are supported by the Trump administration. One of the firm’s partnership attorneys decided to resign and represent Trump after his previous firm ruled to not take Trump on as a client. Todd Blanche is now the deputy attorney general and runner up to the Department of Justice ().

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Foothold

Firms included in the pro bono work agreed that they would not deny representation to clients, such as members of politically disenfranchised groups, Government Officials, employees, and advisors. With the agreement Trump will have the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) remove its previous letter about practices relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion at law firms. The administration is not planning to pursue legal actions related to this topic.

On the Friday four firms agreed to similar settlements with the administration. Obviously criticized heavily by most due to Trumps intimidation tactics towards the legal profession. Several firms previously punished because of push back and alignment with Trump’s opposition. The administration states it will push against any firms that is operating with the government.

Three major firms have been successful in pursuing legal action against the administration. They succeeded in obtaining preliminary court orders blocking Trumps original executive orders.

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