DOJ 47
Law firms in the second Trump administration

Donald Trump's second administration finds him threatening law firms with significant penalties unless they give him free legal services.

Aaron Rupar
Trump: "Have you noticed that lots of law firms have been signing up with Trump? $100 million. Another $100 million for -- ah -- damages that they've done ... they give me a lot of money considering they've done nothing wrong."

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A pattern has emerged, where Trump issues an executive order where he:

You know what buildings are operated by the US government? Courthouses.

You know what job is hard to do if you can't enter a courthouse? Lawyerin'.

Writing so many executive orders can be tiring, so Trump's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has helped out on his behalf, writing scary letters to 20 law firms.

Some law firms have resisted this in court, which seems like a sensible thing to do, given that they are, in fact, lawyers.

Others have acquiesced, confessed their fault, and offered tens of millions of dollars in free legal work to advance Trump's agenda.

Resisting

Susman Godfrey (2025-04-09)

Trump targeted Susman Godfrey on April 9, 2025.

Susman Godfrey acted for Dominion Voting Systems in their successful $787 million civil lawsuit against Fox News.

Trump's stated reasons are:

Susman Godfrey has filed a lawsuit to oppose the EO.

WilmerHale (2025-03-27)

Trump targeted WilmerHale on March 27, 2025.

The stated reasons are:

WilmerHale has filed a lawsuit to oppose the EO.

Jenner & Block (2025-03-25)

Trump targeted Jenner & Block on March 25, 2025.

The stated reasons are:

Jenner & Block have filed a lawsuit to oppose the EO.

Perkins Coie (2025-03-06)

Trump targeted Perkins Coie on March 6, 2025 in Executive Order 14230.

The stated reasons are:

Perkins Coie has filed a lawsuit to oppose the EO. Additionally, they are documenting their efforts at https://perkinscoiefacts.com.

Capitulated

Kirkland & Ellis ($125M, 2025-04-11)

Trump announced on April 11, 2025 that Kirkland & Ellis agreed to contribute $125,000,000 of pro bono services to advance his agenda.

Allen Overy Shearmen Sterling ($125M, 2025-04-11)

Trump announced on April 11, 2025 that Allen Overy agreed to contribute $125,000,000 of pro bono services to advance his agenda.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett ($125M, 2025-04-11)

Trump announced on April 11, 2025 that Simpson Thacher & Bartlett agreed to contribute $125,000,000 of pro bono services to advance his agenda.

Latham & Watkins LLP ($125M, 2025-04-11)

Trump announced on April 11, 2025 that Latham & Watkins LLP agreed to contribute $125,000,000 of pro bono services to advance his agenda.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft ($100M, 2025-04-11)

Trump announced on April 11, 2025 that Cadwalader agreed to contribute $100,000,000 of pro bono services to advance his agenda.

Milbank ($100M, 2025-04-02)

Trump announced on April 2, 2025 that Milbank agreed to contribute $100,000,000 of pro bono services to advance his agenda.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher ($100M, 2025-04-01)

Trump announced on April 1, 2025 that Willkie Farr agreed to contribute $100,000,000 of pro bono services to advance his agenda.

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom ($100M, 2025-03-28)

Trump announced on March 28, 2025 that Skadden Arps agreed to contribute $100,000,000 of pro bono services to advance his agenda.

Paul Weiss ($40M, 2025-03-21)

Trump targeted Paul Weiss on On March 14, 2025.

The stated reasons are:

On March 21, 2025, Trump canceled the original EO, stating:

Paul Weiss has acknowledged the wrongdoing of its former partner Mark Pomerantz, and it has agreed to [...] [dedicate] the equivalent of $40 million in pro bono legal services during my term in office to support causes including assisting our Nation’s veterans, fairness in the justice system, and combating anti-Semitism; and other similar initiatives.

Pending

The EEOC sent letters to 20 firms on March 17, 2025. As of April 12, 2025, some have not yet publicly sued or bent the knee: