Three Democratic lawmakers have renewed their push for Kirkland & Ellis to disclose records tied to the prominent law firm’s agreement with President Donald Trump, accusing the firm of withholding information and refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation.
In a letter sent to Kirkland chairman Jon Ballis, Senators Richard Blumenthal and Adam Schiff, along with Representative Jamie Raskin, challenged the firm’s reliance on legal privilege to avoid handing over documents and responding to questions from congressional staff.
The lawmakers said the firm’s position relied on questionable claims of privilege and warned that their investigation would continue beyond the current congressional term.
“Notwithstanding Kirkland’s lack of cooperation, we will use every tool at our disposal to pursue this investigation—in this Congress and the next,” they wrote.
The renewed demand comes as Democrats seek to regain control of both chambers of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. A shift in the balance of power could strengthen their ability to pursue investigations and compel responses from private institutions.
Kirkland has not publicly responded to the latest letter.
Scrutiny over Trump’s deal with major law firms
Kirkland was among nine major law firms that reached agreements with Trump last year, collectively pledging $940 million in pro bono legal work for causes backed by the president.
The arrangements came amid a confrontation between the White House and several prominent firms. Trump had accused law firms of racial discrimination and acting against national interests, raising the prospect of government action against them.
The agreements were viewed as an effort to avoid a wider clash with the administration.
Blumenthal, Schiff and Raskin have since sought details about how the arrangements were negotiated and what work the firms subsequently undertook.
Their latest letter renews demands for Kirkland to disclose communications with Boris Epshteyn, Trump’s personal lawyer, as well as information concerning the firm’s reported work for the US Commerce Department.
Lawmakers challenge claims of legal privilege
The Democrats also disputed Kirkland’s response to congressional staff in May, when the firm reportedly invoked attorney-client privilege and executive privilege associated with the White House to justify withholding information.
The lawmakers argued that these protections did not adequately explain the firm’s refusal to provide relevant records or meet with congressional investigators.
They accused Kirkland of obstructing the inquiry through repeated refusals to share documents, engage with investigators and provide a convincing legal basis for withholding the requested material.
The dispute forms part of a broader effort by Democratic lawmakers to examine agreements between the Trump administration and major law firms.
With the balance of power in Congress potentially changing after the midterm elections, the lawmakers have made clear that the investigation will remain on their agenda regardless of who controls the chambers.
