A major shake-up in the legal world unfolded as Milbank, one of the nation’s top law firms, reached an agreement with Donald Trump, marking yet another chapter in the president’s battle with firms he sees as politically biased. While Milbank opted for cooperation, other firms are pushing back, intensifying the divide within the legal industry.
Milbank committed $100 million in pro bono services aligned with White House-approved initiatives and agreed to forgo diversity-based hiring—echoing similar deals Trump secured with other firms under pressure. The move comes amid a broader campaign by the president to curb what he calls ideological bias in major law firms.
Meanwhile, Perkins Coie, a firm known for its legal work for Hillary Clinton, took a different route, challenging a Trump executive order that sanctioned it over hiring practices. The firm petitioned a Washington judge to overturn the directive, warning that allowing it to stand would set a dangerous precedent, threatening not just its own survival but also the independence of the legal profession.
The contrasting responses from Milbank and Perkins Coie underscore a widening fracture in the legal community. Some firms have chosen to negotiate with the administration to avoid penalties, while others are taking their fight to court. Judges have already blocked parts of Trump’s orders targeting major firms like Jenner & Block and WilmerHale, citing potential threats to the justice system.
Milbank’s leadership, in an internal letter to staff, stated that the firm was “happy” with the commitments it made. While the letter did not confirm whether Trump had planned an order against Milbank, it acknowledged White House concerns over the firm’s diversity and pro bono initiatives, prompting the discussions that led to the deal.
Trump has so far issued executive orders targeting five firms, each with connections to attorneys who have challenged his policies. Firms such as WilmerHale, Perkins Coie, and Jenner & Block have taken their cases to court, with some already securing temporary legal victories against the administration’s measures.
Among those affected, Milbank partner Neal Katyal—a well-known Trump critic—has represented clients in legal battles against the administration, including a former government official alleging wrongful termination. Katyal previously played a key role in the legal fight against Trump’s first-term travel ban.
Other high-profile law firms, including Paul Weiss and Skadden Arps, have also struck deals with the administration to avoid punitive measures, while Covington & Burling faces restrictions but has yet to take legal action.
As tensions escalate, the legal industry finds itself at a crossroads—forced to decide whether to comply with Trump’s demands or fight them in court. With judges already casting doubt on the legality of some of Trump’s orders, the battle over legal independence is far from over.
