The Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom law firm will provide $100 million in pro bono work to the Trump administration to avoid an executive order punishing it for allegedly weaponizing the legal system against conservatives.

President Donald Trump has targeted several of Skadden’s competitors with executive orders in the last two months, but the New York City-based firm is the first to cut a deal before an order could be issued. It comes after the law firm Paul, Weiss agreed to provide $40 million in pro bono work in order for Trump to rescind an order targeting it.

Trump said the Skadden deal was “essentially a settlement.”

The Skadden firm will provide pro bono services to the White House along with “a wide variety of deserving organizations and individuals.” As part of the agreement, it will discontinue any diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and make sure to avoid denying anyone representation “because of the personal political views of individual lawyers.”

“Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP approached President Trump and his Administration, and declared the Firm’s strong commitment to ending the Weaponization of the Justice System and the Legal Profession. The President will never stop fighting to deliver on his promises of eradicating partisan Lawfare in America, and restoring Liberty & Justice for ALL,” a White House statement said.

The Trump administration has targeted several law firms who have been involved in cases surrounding the president and his allies, including Paul, Weiss, WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Perkins Coie.

While some have negotiated with the administration, others have retaliated. Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale have filed federal lawsuits saying the executive orders violated the First Amendment. The latter two firms said the orders were meant as retribution for their prior work for clients and causes that Trump dislikes.

TRACKING WHAT DOGE IS DOING ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Skadden said in a statement shared by Trump that the agreement was “in the best interests of our clients, our people, and our Firm.”

“Skadden is pleased to have achieved a successful agreement with President Trump and his Administration. We engaged proactively with the President and his team in working together constructively to reach this agreement,” Skadden executive partner Jeremy London said. “The Firm looks forward to continuing our productive relationship with President Trump and his Admin. We firmly believe that this outcome is in the best interests of our clients, our people, and our Firm.”



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