Trump Attack on Big Law Moves Beyond Revenge, Latest Deals Show

April 12, 2025, 11:30 AM UTC

President Donald Trump’s offensive against Big Law has moved beyond retribution, as firms with no past adversarial relationship with him feel pressure to appease.

Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, A&O Shearman and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft struck deals with the administration Friday, promising $600 million worth of legal services.

The firms are among the most prestigious and profitable in the country, with many of them focusing on private equity deals. Kirkland and Latham consistently rank highest in revenue, hauling in $8.8 billion and $7 billion, respectively, last year.

“Trump is forcing elite large, profitable, ...

Learn more about Bloomberg Tax or Log In to keep reading:

See Breaking News in Context

From research to software to news, find what you need to stay ahead.

Already a subscriber?

Log in to keep reading or access research tools and resources.