Law Firms Balk at Trump Push for Client Data in DEI Probes (1)

Large law firms plan to refuse to give the Trump administration information on their clients’ diversity initiatives as part of federal discrimination investigations.

The 20 firms facing questions from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will reject the agency’s inquiries related to clients over confidentiality concerns, according to three people familiar with the matter. At least three firms—Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett—are also seeking to strike a deal with the White House that would resolve the probes.

The EEOC wants the firms to name clients that require them to hit diversity targets for staffing on ...