Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, an elite law firm, has agreed to provide over $100 million in pro bono legal services to the federal government during the Trump administration. President Donald Trump, who helped broker the agreement, announced it. It’s a great thing indeed, he explained, because it lets Skadden, Arps avoid being turned into the sixth elite law firm named in his executive order. Trump characterized the deal as “practically a settlement,” and claimed that it involves more than the provision of legal services.
The Trump administration made a number of sweeping executive orders that criminalized many of those leading law firms. These firms were WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Perkins Coie. These orders came as a response to many of these firms suing the administration over the orders. One of the targeted firms, Skadden, Arps was not among those sued.
This MOU represents a bygone deal. When Paul, Weiss agreed to spend $40 million on pro bono legal work for causes supported by the president, the Trump administration rescinded an executive order targeting the firm. The announcement marks a significant achievement for Skadden, Arps. This bolsters the firm’s reputation and allows it to dodge any legal repercussions with the previous administration.
Elon Musk, a top advisor to Trump, took to social media, tweeting, “Skadden, this needs to stop now,” in reaction to a post by Dinesh D’Souza. D’Souza had previously attacked Skadden, Arps’ role in litigation against him over an antisemitic film he produced.