Timeline of Trump and Big Law

February 25, 2025

The Trump administration (“Trump”) publishes an Executive Order (“EO”) to revoke security clearances for Covington & Burling LLP (“Covington”) based on potential national security risks.[1]
Covington had provided legal services to Special Counsel Jack Smith, who had previously prosecuted Donald Trump for his attempt to overturn the 2020 election and refusing to return classified material at Mar-A-Lago.

March 6, 2025

Trump publishes an EO imposing sanctions on Perkins Coie LLP (“Perkins”) based on national security reasons and discriminatory hiring practices under Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”).[2]
Perkins worked for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign and former lawyers hired Fusion GPS (a research and strategic intelligence firm for businesses and political) that led to the alleged collusion between Donald Trump and Russia.

March 11, 2025

Perkins (represented by Williams & Connolly LLP) sues Trump arguing that (inter alia) the EO violates free speech, due process and other protections under the U.S. Constitution.
The next day, judge Beryl Howell temporary blocked part of the EO against Perkins.
Subsequently, over 500 law firms have filed an amicus brief in support of Perkins.

March 14, 2025

Trump publishes an EO imposing sanctions on Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (“Paul Weiss” [the writer has comma intentionally omitted the comma in protest]) based on undermining judicial integrity through ideologically motivated pro bono work.[3]
Former Paul Weiss attorney, Mark Pomerantz, previously worked with the Manhattan District Attorney on Trump’s hush money trial where he was convicted of committing 34 felonies.

March 17, 2025

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issues letters to 20 law firms requesting documentation on DEI employment practices; the inquiry was framed as part of a broader Trump agenda to curtail DEI in hiring.[4]

March 20, 2025

Paul Weiss reaches a deal with Trump to lift the EO in exchange for $40 million of pro bono services and Paul Weiss would no longer pursue DEI policies.

March 22, 2025

Trump publishes an EO for the DOJ to monitor and report law firms filing “frivolous” or “abusive” lawsuits against Donald Trump, which purportedly aims to deter politically motivated litigation.[5]

March 25, 2025

Trump publishes an EO against Jenner & Block LLP (“Jenner”) to revoke security clearance based on national security.[6]
Jenner previously employed Andrew Weissmann who aided in Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian election interference in the 2016 election.

March 27, 2025[7]

Trump publishes an EO against Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (“WilmerHale”) based on national security concerns.
Wilmer hired Robert Mueller and his colleagues after his investigation of Russian election interference.

March 28, 2025[8]

Jenner (represented by Cooley LLP) sues Trump arguing that (inter alia) the EO violates free speech, free association, due process, and the attorney-client relationship.
Judge John Bates blocks part of the EO against Jenner.
WilmerHale (represented by Paul Clement) sues Trump arguing that (inter alia) the EO violates the first amendment, the right to counsel and due process, and the separation of powers.
Judge Richard Leon blocks part of the EO against WilmerHale.
In response to the March 17 EEOC letter, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (“Skadden”) reaches a deal with Trump to lift the EO in exchange for $100 million of pro bono services and to no longer pursue DEI policies.

April 1, 2025

In response to the March 17 EEOC letter, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (“Wilkie”) reaches a deal with Trump to lift the EO in exchange for $100 million of pro bono services and to no longer pursue DEI policies.

April 2, 2025

In response to the March 17 EEOC letter, Milbank LLP (“Milbank”) reaches a deal with Trump to lift the EO in exchange for $100 million of pro bono services and to no longer pursue DEI policies.

April 9, 2025

Trump publishes an EO against Susman Godfrey LLP (“Susman”) based on national security concerns.
Susman represents Dominion Voting Systems in defamation lawsuits related to Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election.

April 11, 2025

Susman (represented by Donald Verrilli) sues Trump arguing that (inter alia) the EO is unconstitutional.
In response to the March 17 EEOC letters, Kirkland & Ellis (“Kirland”), Latham & Watkins (“Latham”), A&O Shearman (“A&O”), and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (“Simpson”) jointly agree to a deal with Trump to lift the EO in exchange for $125 million of pro bono services and to no longer pursue DEI policies. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft (“Cadwalader”) enter into a similar deal for $100 million of pro bono services.

April 15, 2025