Democratic lawmakers probe top law firms over Trump administration work

By Mike Scarcella

Sept 24 (Reuters) - Leading U.S. Senate and House Democrats on Wednesday demanded new disclosures from prominent law firms Paul Weiss; Skadden Arps; and Kirkland & Ellis over deals they struck with the White House to protect their firms from a crackdown by President Donald Trump.

The letters, signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Adam Schiff of California, along with Maryland U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin, asked the firms to provide details about free legal work they reportedly performed for the U.S. Commerce Department.

The demands reflect a renewed push by Democrats to scrutinize agreements involving nine firms that since April have pledged a total of almost $1 billion in free legal work to mutually agreed matters with the White House, after Trump began issuing executive orders punishing a group of firms over their past legal work or political connections.

The New York Times in August reported that law firms Kirkland & Ellis; and Paul Weiss were working on a "range" of matters for the Commerce Department, citing unnamed sources. The report said that the Commerce Department and law firm Skadden & Arps had been connected about work on trade deals for the administration. Reuters could not independently confirm the details of the Times report.

Leaders from Skadden; Kirkland; and Paul Weiss did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Raskin, Schiff and Blumenthal, citing the New York Times report, questioned the legality and ethics of the firms’ reported work for the administration.

“If Paul Weiss is required to provide President Trump with free legal services, it may prove difficult for your firm to also zealously represent a client, pro bono or otherwise, adverse to the Administration,” the letter to Paul Weiss said.

The lawmakers asked the firms to provide them with details about any work they handled for the Commerce Department, including whether the work is free or being done at a reduced rate. They said there are restrictions on the government's ability to accept free legal services.

The Democrats also said they wanted to see a list from each firm about any non-government pro bono matters that they have taken up as part of their deals with the administration.

The firms and others have faced sharp criticism of their deals, described by some as capitulation. The firms have defended their deals in response to earlier letters from Democratic lawmakers, and said the agreements did not compromise their principles or constrain their choice of clients.

Representatives from the White House and Commerce Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Four firms — Susman Godfrey; Wilmer Hale; Jenner & Block; and Perkins Coie — each won lawsuits challenging the executive orders the White House issued against them. The orders had called on officials to cancel federal contracts held by the firms' clients and restricted access by their lawyers to federal buildings and officials.

The administration has appealed rulings by four judges that found the executive orders to be unconstitutional.

Read more:

Some law firms that cut deals with Trump take cases opposing his administration

How Trump’s crackdown on law firms undermines legal defenses for the vulnerable

What Republican, Democratic judges said about Trump’s law firm orders

Law firms defend Trump deals in letters to Democratic lawmakers