President Trump announced Wednesday that he reached another deal with a major law firm, Milbank LLP, as he seeks to punish organizations with ties to his political critics.
Milbank is the latest in a string of firms looking to cut a deal with the president after he signed orders in recent weeks reviewing security clearances and government contracts for several Big Law companies, as well as another executive order threatening to sanction attorneys for “vexatious” lawsuits.
In his announcement, Trump said Milbank has agreed to perform at least $100 million worth of pro bono legal services on shared initiatives throughout his administration. Examples include assistance for veterans, law enforcement officials and first responders as well as work to ensure “fairness” in the justice system and combat antisemitism.
Partners at the firm “with diverse political ideologies” will work with the administration’s pro bono committee to make sure the cases are consistent with the firm’s objectives and the full political spectrum is represented, “including Conservative ideals,” Trump said.
“Milbank will not deny representation to clients, such as members of politically disenfranchised groups and Government Officials, employees, and advisors, who have not historically received Legal representation from major National Law Firms,” Trump said.
The agreement comes after several other firms, including former second gentleman Doug Emhoff’s, made similar deals with the administration — despite not being explicitly targeted in an order or executive action. Milbank was also not directly named in any order, but the firm was among 20 recently contacted by the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission asking about diversity in its hiring practices.
The White House said it was approached by Milbank about the deal.
Source The Hill
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5228599-trump-milbank-law-firm-deal/
