Major US law firms have significantly reduced their pro bono work and litigation against the federal government amid political pressure from President Donald Trump. A Reuters investigation, based on interviews with over 60 lawyers and 30 nonprofit organizations, found that many firms are wary of political retaliation and have strategically withdrawn from legal challenges that could conflict with the Trump administration's agenda. Fourteen civil rights groups reported that law firms they depend on for legal representation are hesitating, keeping their involvement confidential, or declining cases. Analysis of court dockets shows a sharp decline in litigation by top firms against the government compared to Trump's first term, when 20 of the 100 highest-grossing firms actively sued the administration on issues like immigration and regulation. Additionally, 46 of the 50 largest law firms have removed or altered web content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with some aligning their language more closely with Trump’s policies. Despite this trend, two major firms, Milbank and Skadden, continue to challenge the administration in court, highlighting ongoing tensions within the legal community between compliance and resistance. The retreat by Big Law has adversely affected nonprofit advocacy groups, limiting their resources for legal research, brief preparation, and litigation efforts.
A Reuters investigation found that major US law firms are scaling back or hiding their pro-bono and civil-rights work that could clash with the Trump administration https://t.co/MC6Efl9Cw6 https://t.co/PnbVPsBkaW
It's worth noting that almost every single big law firm, aside from unethically playing ball with Trump, was also aggressively pro-genocide and wouldn't hire young lawyers who didn't stay quiet about the great moral crime of our generation.
Reuters found that major US law firms, fearing political backlash, have pulled back or hidden pro-bono and civil-rights work that could conflict with the Trump administration https://t.co/mGgoFLRDAh https://t.co/Awc0mF9yNO