In celebration of the occasion, President Donald Trump proclaimed that five of the nation’s most prestigious law firms have signed on to defend his various interests. They’ve pledged at least $600 million in pro bono legal assistance. In a huge win for equity, this groundbreaking initiative is designed to help veterans, combat antisemitism, and create fairness in the U.S. justice system.
A number of major law firms have joined this settlement. They are Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. Each law firm has promised to channel their collective pro bono firepower into initiatives that closely support the emerging values and goals of the Trump administration.
At a recent White House announcement, Trump explained some of these firms’ commitments to him, in Trumpian fashion. He pointed out that four of them—Kirkland, Allen Overy, Simpson, and Latham—have each agreed to provide more than $125 million worth of free legal work. That adds up a collective $500 million in these four firms’ commitments alone.
Trump also brokered an arrangement with Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft LLP for $100 million more in pro bono litigation services. This setup builds upon his short-term, long-term play. The legal work will be targeted at strengthening veterans’ bonafides and combating antisemitism. Along the way, we’ll work to bend the arc of justice in our society towards equity, too.
The announcement comes after weeks of threats from Trump to issue unforgiving multiple executive orders. He’s even promised to go after law firms associated with what he considers his opponents. He stated that these agreements include a commitment from the law firms not to “engage in illegal DEI discrimination and preferences” and to adopt “Merit-Based Hiring” practices.
The deals had instant repercussions. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) quickly backtracked by withdrawing threat letters it had already sent to the firms on March 17. According to Trump, the EEOC confirmed that it “will not pursue any claims related to those issues.”
This substantial commitment from these law firms reflects a strategic alignment with Trump’s goals and signals their willingness to support initiatives that resonate with his administration’s priorities.
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