Four Law Firms in Texas Cut Deal with White House

Faced with the threat by President Donald Trump of potentially ruinous executive orders, five of the largest and most profitable corporate law firms in the U.S. — including four that have large operations in Texas — reached settlement agreements Friday with the White House that require them to allow an independent outside counsel to monitor their recruiting and hiring practices for possible discriminatory efforts.

Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and A&O Shearman, which combined employ more than 700 business lawyers in Austin, Dallas and Houston and generate nearly $2 billion in revenue in Texas, also agreed to each provide $125 million in free legal services — some pro bono and some possible legal work for the federal government — and agreed that their pro bono work would include more politically conservative causes.