President Donald Trump said he has reached an agreement with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom that will allow the firm to avoid an executive order targeting it.
Skadden commits to at least $100 million in pro bono legal services for causes he and firm supports, Trump said in comments at the White House. These will be efforts such as assisting veterans, military, and law enforcement, he said.
Skadden also commits to funding five fellows and to merit-based hiring and retention, and it won’t deny representation to disenfranchised groups, Trump said. “This was essentially a settlement—we appreciate Skadden’s coming to the table,” he said.
Following Paul Weiss, Skadden becomes the second major law firm to strike a deal with Trump and avoid the penalizing orders he has directed at other law firms. The president has issued directives against Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, and Jenner & Block that cut access to federal facilities by lawyers at the firms and cancels US contracts for the firms and their clients.
He also previously pulled security clearances for certain lawyers at Covington & Burling. Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, and Jenner & Block are all challenging the orders in court.
Paul Weiss in its agreement said it will dedicate $40 million in pro bono legal services during Trump’s term to support administration goals, including veterans’ assistance and the President’s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. Paul Weiss also affirmed a commitment to merit based hiring and will not pursue “DEI policies.”
Skadden is among the top five largest law firms by revenue in the world. It brought in nearly $3.3 billion in 2023, according to the American Lawyer.
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