How Trump Rattled Big Law Amid Executive Orders
Trump’s executive orders have forced major U.S. law firms, including Paul Weiss and Willkie Farr & Gallagher, to negotiate significant deals and challenge the administration’s mandates, while legal and corporate giants like Johnson & Johnson and Klarna face their own setbacks.
Published on April 2, 2025
President Trump’s recent executive orders have sent shockwaves through the legal industry, forcing major U.S. law firms to reconsider their business models. Paul Weiss, for example, negotiated directly with the administration to stave off drastic measures by agreeing to provide significant pro bono services and rethinking its hiring practices. At the same time, firms like Willkie Farr & Gallagher preemptively struck deals—reportedly committing up to $100 million in free legal work—to avoid potential punitive actions.
Other top firms, including Perkins Coie, are actively challenging the orders in court, arguing that the administration’s directives overstep legal boundaries. The pressure isn’t confined solely to the legal sphere; Johnson & Johnson experienced a setback when a bankruptcy strategy for its talc liabilities was dismissed, which contributed to a notable drop in its market cap. Meanwhile, Klarna’s IPO plans have been undermined by public criticism over its buy-now-pay-later model, especially after its announcement of a partnership with DoorDash. The unfolding events throughout early April 2025 highlight the broad impact of these policy moves on both legal and corporate sectors.