EEOC Targets 20 of the Largest US Law Firms for DEI Programs

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Trump Sics EEOC On 20 Biglaw Firms
The Trump administration's war on Biglaw just leveled up.

By Kathryn Rubino on March 17, 2025 5:09 pm

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Donald Trump wasn’t lying when he said he was going after Biglaw. The onslaught continues with 20 Biglaw firms receiving letters from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Acting Chair Andrea Lucas informing them they’re being investigated by the agency.

Lucas writes the agency is “concern[ed] that some firms’ employment practices, including those labeled or framed as DEI, may entail unlawful disparate treatment in terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, or unlawful limiting, segregating, and classifying based on race, sex, or other protected characteristics, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII).” All because the firm has at any point made public statements or programs in support of diversity in the profession.

The following firms have received letters from the EEOC thus far:

1. A & O Shearman
2. Debevoise & Plimpton
3. Cooley
4. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
5. Goodwin Procter
6. Hogan Lovells
7. Kirkland & Ellis
8. Latham & Watkins
9. McDermott Will & Emery
10. Milbank
11. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
12. Morrison & Foerster
13. Perkins Coie
14. Reed Smith
15. Ropes & Gray
16. Sidley Austin
17. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
18. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
19. White & Case
20. WilmerHale

Notably Paul, Weiss is not on the list of Biglaw firms that have been notified of an EEOC investigation, despite the recent Executive Order targeting the firm for a bunch of reasons including their support of DEI. I guess their letter will be in the next tranche to drop — because Trump’s fight with the legal industry is far from over.

abovethelaw.com

Trump Sics EEOC On 20 Biglaw Firms - Above the Law

The Trump administration's war on Biglaw just leveled up.
abovethelaw.com abovethelaw.com

__________
To those not aware, these are some of the largest and most prestigious law firms in America (and abroad).
 
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I hope they aren't discriminating based on age, sex, ethnicity or anything else.

More seriously, I think we're going to have to figure out a way through it. I think those programs are over for at least 4 years and possibly beyond that if the Democrats want to have a decent chance of winning elections.

So I think we need to figure out a date, say a month or two from now, where any preferred hiring programs and contracting are okay and any that go on after that date are at legal risk.

I'm sure it will be adjudicated through the courts and we'll know for sure but anyone that does it after that one or two month date is putting themselves at risk of a lawsuit if the courts eventually decide it's illegal.

But I don't think it's right to go after organizations that have been encouraged or even required to offer some of these preferred programs.
 
Have you figured out yet that DEI is not the real issue? Every law firm has DEI programs. Even Jones Day (I know). So why did these 20 firms get targeted and not dozens of others? Oh.

DEI is just the cover story on what is really happening -- Trump trying to punish his enemies merely because he doesn't like them. That's what all of this is about. Trump's lust for unchecked power.

The sooner you stop believing the administrations' contradictory and nonsensical cover stories and realize what they are actually doing, the sooner will you understand.

Also, DEI programs are not remotely illegal and the investigations have no foundation. They should get squashed.
 
superrific said:
Have you figured out yet that DEI is not the real issue? Every law firm has DEI programs. Even Jones Day (I know). So why did these 20 firms get targeted and not dozens of others? Oh.

DEI is just the cover story on what is really happening -- Trump trying to punish his enemies merely because he doesn't like them. That's what all of this is about. Trump's lust for unchecked power.

The sooner you stop believing the administrations' contradictory and nonsensical cover stories and realize what they are actually doing, the sooner will you understand.

Also, DEI programs are not remotely illegal and the investigations have no foundation. They should get squashed.
Click to expand...

www.jonesday.com

Diversity at Jones Day

At Jones Day you'll see lawyers from diverse backgrounds leading client engagements, practice groups, and offices around the world.
www.jonesday.com www.jonesday.com
 
Seems like a big deal:

www.theguardian.com

Trump rescinds executive order after law firm agrees to provide $40m in free services

US president reverses threat to suspend security clearances and cancel federal contracts after meeting with chair of Paul, Weiss
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

To avoid the consequences of Trump’s order, the White House said, the firm had agreed to “take on a wide range of pro bono matters that represent the full spectrum of political viewpoints of our society”. The firm reportedly agreed to disavow the use of diversity, equity and inclusion considerations in its hiring and promotion decisions and to dedicate the equivalent of $40m in free legal services to support Trump administration policies on issues including assistance for veterans and countering antisemitism.

The firm, the White House claimed, also acknowledged the wrongdoing of Pomerantz, the partner involved in the investigation into Trump’s hush-money payments to an adult film actor. It was unclear whether Karp was aware of that claim.
 
Mundial said:
Trump Sics EEOC On 20 Biglaw Firms
The Trump administration's war on Biglaw just leveled up.

By Kathryn Rubino on March 17, 2025 5:09 pm

Share

Donald Trump wasn’t lying when he said he was going after Biglaw. The onslaught continues with 20 Biglaw firms receiving letters from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Acting Chair Andrea Lucas informing them they’re being investigated by the agency.

Lucas writes the agency is “concern[ed] that some firms’ employment practices, including those labeled or framed as DEI, may entail unlawful disparate treatment in terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, or unlawful limiting, segregating, and classifying based on race, sex, or other protected characteristics, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII).” All because the firm has at any point made public statements or programs in support of diversity in the profession.

The following firms have received letters from the EEOC thus far:

1. A & O Shearman
2. Debevoise & Plimpton
3. Cooley
4. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
5. Goodwin Procter
6. Hogan Lovells
7. Kirkland & Ellis
8. Latham & Watkins
9. McDermott Will & Emery
10. Milbank
11. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
12. Morrison & Foerster
13. Perkins Coie
14. Reed Smith
15. Ropes & Gray
16. Sidley Austin
17. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
18. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
19. White & Case
20. WilmerHale

Notably Paul, Weiss is not on the list of Biglaw firms that have been notified of an EEOC investigation, despite the recent Executive Order targeting the firm for a bunch of reasons including their support of DEI. I guess their letter will be in the next tranche to drop — because Trump’s fight with the legal industry is far from over.

abovethelaw.com

Trump Sics EEOC On 20 Biglaw Firms - Above the Law

The Trump administration's war on Biglaw just leveled up.
abovethelaw.com abovethelaw.com

__________
To those not aware, these are some of the largest and most prestigious law firms in America (and abroad).
Click to expand...
#19 on that list might have an easier time of it with this than some of the others...
 
It's a warning shot to all law firms, challenge the administration on anything and the Trump DOJ will go after you on a trumped up allegation.
 
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