President Trump on Tuesday revealed he reached a deal with the high-powered law firm that hired former second gentleman Doug Emhoff — his latest agreement since targeting left-leaning white-shoe firms with executive orders.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher — which hired former Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband in January — agreed to $100 million worth of pro bono work for causes supported by Trump, like assisting veterans and combating antisemitism, according to a post on Truth Social from the president.
The law firm also agreed not to engage in any diversity, equity and inclusion hiring practices.
Willkie affirmed its commitment “to give Fair and Equal consideration to Job Candidates, irrespective of their political beliefs, including Candidates who have served in the Trump administration,” Trump wrote in the post.
“Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP proactively reached out to President Trump and his Administration,” the White House said in a statement. “The President is delivering on his promises of eradicating Partisan Lawfare in America, and restoring Liberty and Justice FOR ALL.”
Along with its ties to Emhoff, the law firm employs a top investigator from the congressional committee that probed the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Willkie also represented Georgia election workers who sued former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani for defamation. Giuliani was ordered to pay the women $148 million.
The law firm seemingly had a page highlighting its litigators of the week for “holding Rudy Giuliani accountable,” according to a Google search, but it appears the post has been taken down from the website.
Willkie did not respond to The Post’s requests for comment.
Trump’s deal with the elite law firm is similar to agreements he has reached with other firms in recent weeks after leveling executive orders against them.
No executive order was being signed against Willkie Farr & Gallagher, a White House official told The Post.
The firm, however, was reportedly warned that it was next on the list for an executive order, the New York Times reported, citing sources familiar with the negotiations and an email that Willkie sent to its staffers.
“We learned that the President intended to issue an Executive Order targeting Willkie similar to the orders issued against multiple firms in the past weeks, threatening to imperil our clients’ rights and those of our Firm,” the email said. “We were invited to contact the Administration on Sunday, and they outlined a proposed alternative to receiving an Executive Order.”
In a memo to the firm, Willkie’s executive committee said the Trump administration’s final proposal was the best way to avoid “potentially grave consequences,” according to the Times.
Thomas Cerabino, chair of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, said the agreement “is consistent with our Firm’s views on access to Legal representation,” and that the firm “looks forward to having a constructive relationship with the Trump Administration,” according to a statement in Trump’s Truth Social post.
