Willkie Farr & Gallagher, home to Kamala Harris' husband, settles with Trump
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has reached a deal with President Donald Trump to avoid the fate of other BigLaw firms that have been told in executive orders that their clients risk losing their government contracts. (Photo from Shutterstock)
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has reached a deal with President Donald Trump to avoid the fate of other BigLaw firms that have been told in executive orders that their clients risk losing their government contracts.
The deal, announced April 1 on Trump’s Truth Social account—his social media platform—is similar to agreements reached with two other law firms, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
Among other things, the deal calls for Willkie to pledge $100 million in pro bono legal services to causes supported by Trump and the firm, including helping veterans and public servants, ensuring fairness in the justice system and combating antisemitism. Pro bono activities will “represent the full political spectrum, including conservative ideals,” the Truth Social announcement said.
Skadden also pledged $100 million in pro bono services, while Paul Weiss pledged $40 million.
Publications covering the Willkie deal include Law.com, Law360, Bloomberg Law and the New York Times.
Settling firms Willkie, Paul Weiss and Skadden have higher gross revenues than the three targeted firms that chose to challenge the orders in court, according to Bloomberg Law. The firms that sued are Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, Jenner & Block and Perkins Coie.
Under the agreement, Willkie also affirmed a commitment to merit-based employment policies and agreed that it would not deny representation to clients because of the personal beliefs of individual lawyers.
A memo to colleagues from Willkie’s executive committee, published by Law.com, said the agreement “focuses on activities that are already in place at our firm.” The deal “was the path that best serves our clients’ needs and protects the firm’s various stakeholders, avoiding potentially grave consequences,” the memo said.
The executive orders targeting firms typically blocked their lawyers’ security clearances, restricted their access to government buildings, blocked government hiring of their employees, and sought reassessment of their clients’ government contracts.
One of Willkie’s partners is Douglas Emhoff, the husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris. Emhoff joined the firm in January, according to Law360.
Two other lawyers at Willkie worked as investigative counsel for the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack. The firm also represented Georgia election workers who sued former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani for defamation and won $148 million.
Other targeted firms have employed former special counsel Robert Mueller, Mueller’s lead prosecutor, former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former special counsel Jack Smith.
Trump commented on firms reaching deals last week, according to the New York Times.
“They’re all bending and saying, ‘Sir, thank you very much,’” Trump said. “Law firms are just saying, ‘Where do I sign? Where do I sign?’”
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