Demand Justice Launches New “Big Law Cowards” Campaign Urging Nation’s Most Powerful Law Firms To Stop Capitulating To Trump
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2025
CONTACT: [email protected]
Washington, DC – Today, Demand Justice launched “Big Law Cowards,” a campaign calling out law firms who bent the knee to Trump’s brazen extortion efforts. The campaign will track those who capitulated to Trump’s demands, pledging an estimated $940 million and counting in pro bono services through a dedicated website, BigLawCowards.com.
The Trump administration’s first 100 days have been marked by near-daily executive overreach and constitutional violations that threaten our democracy. As part of the administration’s assault on the rule of law, they have targeted some of the country’s most prestigious law firms, threatening them with frivolous executive orders designed to extort them for the crime of being on the wrong side of Trump. Instead of standing up for the rule of law, many of these firms caved to his pressure, opting to appease him by using their considerable resources and influence to enable, rather than check, the administration’s dangerous executive actions.
“Big Law Cowards” will hold these legal powerhouses accountable as Trump plans to exploit the nearly a billion dollars worth of billable hours to defend his crusade to implement Project 2025 by rolling back civil rights protections, due process, and the rule of law – the most basic pillars of our democracy. Demand Justice is calling on these law firms to stand up, and fight back.
The campaign will also feature a mobile billboard and imagery displayed around Washington DC to underscore the gravity of the threat this capitulation represents for our country.
Demand Justice Managing Director Maggie Jo Buchanan issued the following statement:
“Since his inauguration, President Trump has systematically undermined the rule of law, defying lawful court orders on issues ranging from illegally firing public servants to deporting people without due process. And by attacking law firms, he is attempting to intimidate lawyers from representing clients and causes that he deems against his interests.
“By striking deals instead of joining their colleagues at other firms willing to challenge these unconstitutional orders, these firms are complicit in the erosion of the rule of law, reshaping American democracy through their cowardice.
“When law firms lend their names and reputations to this administration, they become active participants in undermining our constitutional system. And, as recent reporting makes clear, Trump and his government intend to maximally exploit these “deals” to advance their policies and even personal interests. This can’t continue–the most powerful among us must be willing to be as brave as the ordinary people across the country who have spoken out, marched, and protested the government’s attacks on our democracy. Capitulation is unacceptable.”
Firms who have pledged pro-bono funds include:
- $125 million from A&O Shearman
- $125 million from Kirkland
- $125 million from Latham & Watkins
- $125 million from Simpson Thacher
- $100 million from Cadwalader
- $100 million from Milbank
- $100 million from Skadden
- $100 million from Willkie
- $40 million from Paul Weiss
For more information about the “Big Law Cowards” campaign, visit BigLawCowards.com.
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