President Donald Trump announced agreements with four top law firms he had targeted for punishment.
The president started going after some of the nation's leading firms last month by issuing financially punitive executive orders that judges have found are most likely unconstitutional, but some of them have agreed to terms with Trump to avoid costly showdowns with the executive branch, and he confirmed four new agreements Friday afternoon on Truth Social.
"Today, President Donald J. Trump and Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and Latham & Watkins LLP (the 'Law Firms') announce the following agreement regarding a series of actions to be taken by the Law Firms," Trump posted.
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"The Law Firms will provide an aggregate total of at least $500 Million Dollars in pro bono and other free Legal services," the president added, "during the Trump Administration and beyond, in the respective amounts set forth below, to causes that President Trump and the Law Firms both support and agree to work on, including in the following areas: Assisting Veterans and other Public Servants, including, among others, members of the Military, Gold Star families, Law Enforcement, and First Responders; ensuring fairness in our Justice System; and combatting Antisemitism. The Law Firms will take on a wide range of pro bono matters that represent the full political spectrum, including Conservative ideals."
The firms agreed to pay $125 million each and agreed to stop considering diversity, equity and inclusion in their hiring practices.
"The Law Firms affirm their commitment to Merit-Based Hiring, Promotion, and Retention," Trump posted. "Accordingly, the Law Firms will not engage in illegal DEI discrimination and preferences. The Law Firms affirm that it is their policy to give Fair and Equal consideration to Job Candidates, irrespective of their political beliefs, including Candidates who have served in the Trump Administration, and any other Republican or Democrat Administration. The Law Firms will engage outside counsel to advise the Law Firms in confirming their employment practices are fully compliant with Law, including, but not limited to, Anti-Discrimination Laws."
They also agreed they would not reject potential clients due to political considerations, although Trump's announcement of those terms was vague.
"The Law Firms affirm that they will not deny representation to clients, such as members of politically disenfranchised groups and Government Officials, employees, and advisors, who have not historically received Legal representation from major National Law Firms, including in pro bono matters, and in support of non-profits, because of the personal political views of individual lawyers," he posted.
"Concurrent with these agreements, the EEOC has withdrawn the March 17, 2025 letters to the Law Firms, and will not pursue any claims related to those issues," Trump added.