President Trump’s assault on diversity and inclusion initiatives reached the UK this week as law firms reviewed their policies in the face of White House pressure.
International firm White & Case, one of the 20 asked by a US federal agency to show they were acting lawfully on recruitment, this week confirmed it had discontinued its diversity and inclusion function. In its place will be an initiative focused on ‘professional skills training and engagement’.
A spokesperson said: ‘This change ensures that we remain compliant with applicable US law while fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive and has equal opportunities to succeed.’ The policy change applies worldwide, including the UK office.
Another of the 20 targeted firms, magic circle outfit Freshfields, appears to have altered the heading on its main DEI website page from ‘diversity and inclusion’ to ‘culture and inclusion’. The firm did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Trump’s clampdown was initially expected to affect only the US operations of firms, but compliance chiefs may decide that a global rethink is required. There have been further reports this week that US-headquartered firms have removed mentions of diversity networks and renamed DEI pages.
Meanwhile, the White House has managed to secure $340m in a matter of weeks from four firms offering pro bono assistance to government projects.
Milbank LLP, Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Skadden Arps have each pledged $100m, while Paul, Weiss had previously offered $40m. On his Truth Social site, Trump welcomed each arrangement, which also came with a pledge not to deny representation to any client and to affirm the firms’ commitments to merit-based hiring, promotion and retention of staff.
The White House said: ‘The president continues to build an unrivalled network of lawyers, who will put a stop to partisan lawfare in America, and restore liberty and justice for all.’
Three firms, meanwhile, have taken a different approach and challenged Trump’s executive orders denying them access to federal contracts in the courts. A Washington DC judge this week granted Jenner & Block’s request to halt the directive restricting access to government buildings, calling Trump’s order ‘disturbing’.
Meanwhile, a collection of 45 bars and law societies of Europe, including the England and Wales Law Society and Bar Council, has issued a statement backing the American Bar Association’s stance opposing Trump’s actions. The ABA has called for adherence to core principles around justice and rule of law and said that recent government actions evidence a ‘clear and disconcerting pattern’.
The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, representing more than one million lawyers, supported the ABA in its efforts to uphold and protect the fundamental principles of judicial independence, the rule of law, and the right to legal representation without interference or intimidation.
The CCBE added: ‘The efforts of any government to use power to punish individuals and law firms based on their representation of clients or their legal positions are a clear violation of the core principle of legal independence.
‘The CCBE echoes the ABA’s firm rejection of these practices. Lawyers have a duty to act in the best interest of their clients, and no lawyer should face retaliation for fulfilling this duty.’
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