Top U.S. law firms decline to answer lawmakers’ questions about Trump-related government work

Three major U.S. law firms have refused to answer questions from Democratic lawmakers about their recent government work connected to President Donald Trump’s administration.

According to letters reviewed by Reuters, Kirkland & Ellis, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom did not reveal whether they handled legal work for the U.S. Commerce Department or whether that work was free or discounted.

Instead, the firms defended their independence, saying they select their clients freely and follow strict ethical standards to prevent conflicts of interest. Each sent its own response this week, avoiding direct answers to lawmakers’ questions.

Reports and political pressure

The inquiry followed an August report by The New York Times alleging that Kirkland and Paul Weiss had been advising the Commerce Department on several matters. The same report said Skadden was discussing possible trade-related work. Reuters could not independently confirm those claims.

Kirkland, Paul Weiss, and Skadden are among firms that pledged nearly $1 billion in free legal services to projects coordinated with the White House. The pledges came after Trump issued executive orders penalizing firms over prior clients and political affiliations.

Firms defend their ethics and autonomy

In his reply, Kirkland partner W. Neil Eggleston — a former White House counsel under President Barack Obama — said the firm’s deal complied with ethical rules. “We are very attuned to the potential for conflicts,” he wrote.

Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp stated that any work his firm performs for the government “would not count toward our $40 million pro bono commitment.” Skadden rejected the lawmakers’ interpretation outright, saying their claims “do not reflect the firm’s conduct or any legal violation.”

Lawmakers criticize the silence

The letters were responses to a September 24 inquiry from Senators Richard Blumenthal and Adam Schiff and Representative Jamie Raskin. They questioned whether the firms’ reported government work violated ethics or federal contracting laws.

In a joint statement Friday, the lawmakers condemned the firms’ refusal to share information, saying it “speaks volumes about the moral crisis of the legal profession today.” They added, “Lawyers should defend the rule of law — not surrender to political influence.”

Spokespeople for all three firms did not respond to further requests for comment.