On April 12, 2025, President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform “Truth Social” that five law firms have agreed to provide at least $600 million worth of pro bono legal work for his supported businesses. Kirkland & Ellis, A&O Shearman, Simpson Thacher, Latham & Watkins, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft are the four firms involved, with each committed to providing $125 million worth of pro bono work, while Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft has pledged at least $100 million.
This follows agreements reached with four other law firms, where they agreed to waive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) standards in hiring and participate in public service projects approved by President Trump. Since the Trump administration began restructuring the American legal industry, a total of nine law firms have committed to providing a combined $9.4 billion in free legal services.
President Trump highlighted during a cabinet meeting on April 10 that these companies, settling with the federal government, have paid a significant amount in legal fees and will provide services for various trade negotiations as the White House actively advances tariff policies.
As part of the settlement agreements, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has withdrawn inquiries into the hiring practices of Kirkland & Ellis, A&O Shearman, Simpson Thacher, and Latham & Watkins. Last month, the acting chair of the commission warned 20 law firms that employment policies promoting DEI could potentially violate the law, requiring responses by April 15.
In a joint statement shared by President Trump, Kirkland & Ellis, A&O Shearman, Simpson Thacher, and Latham & Watkins expressed their anticipation to “continue maintaining constructive and productive relationships with President Trump and his team.” Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft also stated in a shared statement with President Trump that the agreement aligns with the firm’s guiding principles for over 230 years.
Previously, President Trump issued executive orders against these five law firms, accusing them of illegally intervening in politics and law, leading to restrictions on their lawyers’ access to government buildings and officials, as well as threats to cancel their clients’ federal contracts.
When Paul Weiss became the first law firm to settle with the White House and agree to donate $40 million in pro bono work, President Trump agreed to revoke the executive order against the firm. Skadden Arps, Milbank, and Willkie Farr also reached similar agreements, with each firm committing $100 million for projects agreed upon with the government.
In a statement, the White House emphasized that the law firms signing the agreements “affirm their firm commitment to end the weaponization of the judicial system and legal profession.”
Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, and Jenner & Block have filed lawsuits against these orders and convinced federal judges to temporarily halt the enforcement of these provisions. Susman Godfrey also announced plans to sue President Trump over his orders. Last week, more than 500 law firms signed a court brief criticizing President Trump’s actions against Perkins Coie and other firms, expressing concerns about the president’s aggressive stance against the legal industry.