Major Companies Shift Legal Work From Firms Yielding To Trump

Since President Donald Trump issued executive orders targeting major law firms that opposed or refused to comply with his administration, at least 11 leading U.S. companies—including Oracle, Morgan Stanley, Microsoft, and McDonald's—have begun shifting legal work away from firms that acquiesced to Trump's demands. These firms, such as Paul, Weiss, Latham & Watkins, and Skadden Arps, agreed to perform substantial pro bono work aligned with the administration to have sanctions like revoked security clearances and contract terminations lifted. However, corporate general counsels expressed concerns about these firms' ability to fiercely represent their clients, leading to reputational damage and loss of business. Conversely, firms like Jenner & Block, Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, and Susman Godfrey, which resisted the executive orders and successfully challenged them in court, are attracting new clients and business. The controversy has sparked a broader debate over the independence of the legal profession amid political pressure, highlighting the financial and reputational consequences of cooperating with or resisting the Trump administration's legal demands. Legal industry insiders note that companies prefer firms that demonstrate resilience against political interference, underscoring shifting client loyalties in this contentious environment.