Major Clients Drop Firms Over Trump Administration Deals

Major U.S. companies including Oracle, Morgan Stanley, Microsoft, and McDonald's have ended relationships with prominent law firms that entered into contentious pro bono agreements with the Trump administration. President Trump's executive orders targeted law firms representing political opponents or supporting diversity, stripping them of security clearances and federal contracts unless they agreed to broad pro bono commitments under unclear terms. Some firms, such as Jenner & Block and WilmerHale, successfully challenged these orders in court, gaining new business and public support, while others faced client losses, internal dissent, and high-profile resignations. Legal experts argue these agreements lack validity due to coercion and ambiguity. The controversy has sparked industry-wide debate about law firms' ethical responsibilities when confronted with government pressure. Ongoing legal disputes continue to reshape the relationships between major law firms, their clients, and the business community.