The major law firm that hired former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff in January caved to the Trump administration’s demands Tuesday.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP agreed Tuesday to provide $100 million worth of pro bono services in support of causes favored by the Trump administration, becoming the third big law firm to cede to the administration’s demands rather than lose business from the government. The firm hired Emhoff, the husband of failed 2024 presidential candidate and former Vice President Kamala Harris, in January just days after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“We reached an agreement with President Trump and his Administration on matters of great importance to our Firm. The substance of that agreement is consistent with our Firm’s views on access to Legal representation by clients, including pro bono clients, our commitment to complying with the Law as it relates to our employment practices, and our history of working with clients across a wide spectrum of political viewpoints,” Thomas M. Cerabino, the firm’s chairman, said in a statement. “The Firm looks forward to having a constructive relationship with the Trump Administration, and remains committed to serving the needs of our clients, our employees, and the communities of which we are a part.”
Trump specified the terms of the administration’s deal with Willkie Farr & Gallagher in a Tuesday post to Truth Social. The firm will be affirming its commitment to merit-based hiring and promotion practices, that it will not deny representation to clients who are members of “politically disenfranchised” groups and that it will conduct $100 million worth of pro bono work benefiting causes supported by the administration, such as assisting veterans and combating antisemitism.
“Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP proactively reached out to President Trump and his Administration, offering their decisive commitment to ending the Weaponization of the Justice System and the Legal Profession,” the White House said in a statement. “The President is delivering on his promises of eradicating Partisan Lawfare in America, and restoring Liberty and Justice FOR ALL.”
Willkie Farr & Gallagher joins two other major law firms — Skadden Arps and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison — that have decided to give into the Trump administration’s demands.
Some activists are already calling on Emhoff to resign from his new gig as a form of protest against the Trump administration, according to Business Insider.
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