President Donald Trump announced a deal on Friday with law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom that includes $100 million in pro bono legal work, the latest win for the president in his ongoing pressure campaign targeting white shoe firms.
Trump has targeted legal giants in recent weeks with executive orders revoking security clearances and limiting access to federal facilities, making it difficult if not impossible for firms to do work for their clients. In this deal, though, there was no such order.
The president said on Truth Social that the firm approached his administration preemptively and “declared the Firm’s strong commitment to ending the Weaponization of the Justice System and the Legal Profession.”
Jeremy London, an executive partner at the firm, said in a statement shared by Trump on Truth Social that the firm “engaged proactively with the President and his team in working together constructively to reach this agreement.”
“We firmly believe that this outcome is in the best interests of our clients, our people, and our Firm,” London said.
The firm also agreed to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and hire “no fewer than five Skadden Fellows” annually to work on projects including veteran assistance, judicial fairness and fighting antisemitism.
Skadden did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Trump has targeted multiple law firms he alleges have weaponized the legal system or pose threats to national security, and the animus runs deep and personal. The most recent order Thursday evening imposed restrictions on WilmerHale, citing the firm’s ties to Robert Mueller, the former special counsel who led an investigation into Russia’s contacts with Trump’s 2016 campaign.
WilmerHale and another law firm targeted this week, Jenner & Block, each sued the Trump administration Friday. WilmerHale said in a statement that the executive order “is a plainly unlawful attack on the bedrock principles of our nation’s legal system — our clients’ right to counsel and the First Amendment.”
One of the other firms hit by an executive order was Paul Weiss. It struck a similar deal to Skadden’s last week, which prompted massive blowback. The agreement included $40 million in pro bono work.
Brad Karp, the chair of Paul Weiss, argued the deal was necessary to protect clients and employees. But former employees criticized the move as a “craven surrender” to the administration’s “bullying tactics.”
Another firm, Perkins Coie, sued the Trump administration after the executive order was signed earlier this month. The firm secured a temporary injunction as the case plays out. Trump this week posted a video of him signing the executive order targeting the firm.
“And you’re looking at about 15 different firms?” Trump asked White House staff secretary Will Scharf as he signed the order targeting Perkins Coie.
“That or more, sir,” Scharf responded.
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Taylor Giorno is a reporter at NOTUS.