(CN) — President Donald Trump announced Friday that a prestigious New York City law firm agreed to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal services to causes supported by his administration.
As part of the agreement, the administration agreed to withdraw letters from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission demanding information about whether the firms were engaged in “discriminatory” hiring practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
The firm, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, is a prominent, white-shoe law firm based in New York City. It is the city’s oldest law firm and one of the oldest continuously operating legal practices in the United States, dating back to 1792.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said it will form a committee to ensure the free services are used to support veterans, military members, law enforcement and first responders, as well as to ensure fairness in the justice system and combat antisemitism.
While the committee is to “represent the full political spectrum, including conservative ideals,” Trump added that the firm will conduct “merit-based hiring” to retain and promote attorneys.
“Cadwalader affirms that it is Cadwalader’s 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,” Trump said.
Four other firms — Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Latham & Watkins LLP — have also consented to volunteering $125 million toward such causes, according to White House officials.
The commitments come as Trump has targeted multiple other prominent legal institutions in recent weeks, forcing them to cut deals and either aid his administration or face White House sanctions.
In an executive order last month, Trump threatened Paul Weiss, another monumental law firm based in New York that has grown into a multi-billion dollar international enterprise since its start in 1875. It called out one of their former attorneys for investigating Trump as a prosecutor for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and a separate pro bono action brought against Jan. 6 capitol rioters.
Trump ordered that federal security clearances of the firm’s attorneys be reviewed for suspension, federal contracts be terminated and employee access to federal buildings be restricted.
But the order was rescinded after the firm’s chairman yielded to a series of commitments, agreeing to provide $40 million worth of legal work to support administration causes.
A week later, another deal was struck with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, amid pressure from Trump and warnings of another slashing executive order over the firm’s pro bono work and its DEI initiatives.
The agreement to provide $100 million in voluntary legal services for the president was announced just hours after two other law firms sued in federal court over executive orders threatening their business.
Jenner & Block and WilmerHale argued to the court that the orders constitute an unprecedented assault on the legal system and represent an unconstitutional form of presidential retaliation.
Two separate federal judges in Washington granted temporary restraining orders at the firms’ request to block enforcement of key portions of the order dealing with access to federal buildings and government contracts.
Under the deal with Cadwalader, the firm agreed to not deny representation to clients, such as “members of politically disenfranchised groups” and government officials “who have not historically been represented by major national law firms because of the personal political views of individual lawyers,” Trump said.
“The substance of our agreement is consistent with the principles that have guided Cadwalader for over 230 years: We always put our client’s interests first; We believe that justice should be available to everyone; and we are committed to attracting, retaining and nurturing the very best talent from all backgrounds,” Patrick Quinn, the firm’s managing partner, said.
“The firm looks forward to having a productive relationship with President Trump and his administration. We firmly believe that this outcome is in the best interests of our clients, our people, and our firm,” he added.