Several of the nation’s most prominent law firms are now facing the consequences of caving to pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. At least 11 major corporations are reportedly shifting their legal business away from firms that struck controversial deals with the Trump White House.
The firms’ decisions to comply with Trump’s demands, often involving the promise of pro bono work in exchange for rescinded executive orders, have triggered doubts among clients about their reliability and integrity. General counsels at several major companies told The Journal they questioned whether firms that couldn’t stand up to political pressure could be trusted to defend their interests in court or at the negotiating table.
Among the corporate heavyweights reportedly distancing themselves from these firms are Oracle, Morgan Stanley, Microsoft, and McDonald’s. Some have scaled back legal work, voiced concerns internally, or ended relationships altogether. In one notable instance, a firm that had reached a deal with the Trump administration reportedly withdrew from representing McDonald’s in a major lawsuit just months before trial.
In another case, Microsoft submitted a formal letter expressing concern to one of its longtime legal partners. A top executive at one company revealed plans to transition work away from Paul Weiss, a firm that lost four of its partners after striking a deal with the Trump White House. A general counsel at another firm admitted to feeling “physically ill” upon learning Paul Weiss had entered the agreement.
Back in February, Trump escalated his feud with law firms that had opposed him in previous legal battles or political conflicts. His administration issued executive orders restricting access, canceling government contracts, and revoking security clearances for those firms. In several cases, those orders were reversed—but only after the firms pledged millions of dollars in pro bono work aligned with the administration’s priorities.
The firms involved in these deals include some of the most prestigious names in American law, such as Kirkland & Ellis, Skadden, Simpson Thacher, A&O Shearman, Latham & Watkins, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Altogether, the promised pro bono work from these firms is estimated to total nearly $1 billion.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher, notably, employs Doug Emhoff, husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris. Emhoff joined the firm in January and reportedly advised leadership against yielding to pressure, according to The New York Times, but his warnings went unheeded.
In contrast, law firms that refused to back down and instead sued the Trump administration have seen favorable outcomes. Multiple federal judges have ruled that the executive orders used to coerce compliance constituted an overreach of presidential power.