Key Takeaways

• President Trump reached an agreement with willkie Farr & Gallagher, a law firm employing former second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
• The agreement involves $100 million in pro bono work for causes supported by trump,including assisting veterans and combating antisemitism.
• Willkie Farr & Gallagher has committed to fair hiring practices, regardless of political beliefs.
• The deal averts an executive order targeting the firm.

The agreement Details

President Trump announced Tuesday that he had reached an agreement with Willkie Farr & Gallagher, a prominent law firm that hired Doug Emhoff, husband of former Vice president Kamala Harris, in January.

The core of the agreement centers on a meaningful commitment from Willkie Farr & Gallagher:

“Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP proactively reached out to President Trump and his Administration,”

White House Statement

The White House added, The president is delivering on his promises of eradicating Partisan Lawfare in America, and restoring Liberty and Justice FOR ALL.

The law firm will undertake $100 million worth of pro bono work, focusing on causes championed by Trump, such as supporting veterans and combating antisemitism. Moreover, the firm has pledged not to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices.

According to Trump’s Truth Social post, Willkie farr & Gallagher affirmed its commitment to give Fair and Equal consideration to Job Candidates, irrespective of their political beliefs, including Candidates who have served in the Trump administration.

Background and Context

This agreement follows a pattern of Trump targeting left-leaning law firms with executive orders. Willkie Farr & Gallagher also employs a top investigator from the congressional committee that investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The firm also represented Georgia election workers in a defamation suit against Rudy Giuliani, resulting in a $148 million judgment against Giuliani.

Avoiding an executive Order

Initially, it appeared Willkie Farr & Gallagher was next in line to face an executive order. However, a White House official clarified that no executive order was signed against the firm.

Sources familiar with the negotiations told the New York Times that the firm was warned about the impending executive order. An email sent to Willkie staffers stated:

“We learned that the President intended to issue an Executive Order targeting Willkie similar to the orders issued against multiple firms in the past weeks, threatening to imperil our clients’ rights and those of our Firm,”

Willkie Farr & Gallagher Email to Staff

The email continued, We were invited to contact the Administration on Sunday, and they outlined a proposed option to receiving an Executive Order.

Willkie’s executive committee, in a memo, deemed the Trump administration’s final proposal the best course of action to avoid possibly grave consequences, according to the Times.

Willkie’s Perspective

Thomas Cerabino, chair of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, addressed the agreement, stating:

“is consistent with our Firm’s views on access to Legal representation,” and that the firm “looks forward to having a constructive relationship with the Trump Administration,”

Thomas Cerabino, Chair of Willkie Farr & Gallagher

Cerabino’s statement was shared on Trump’s Truth Social post.

Expert Analysis

Legal experts suggest this agreement highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and certain segments of the legal community. The pro bono commitment could be seen as a strategic move by Willkie Farr & Gallagher to mitigate potential repercussions from the administration,while also demonstrating a commitment to broader social causes.