"Back in August, the New York Times reported that Kirkland and Paul Weiss (along with Skadden) - firms who had cut deals with the administration in exchange for pro bono payola - had done work for Trump's Commerce Department. Democratic lawmakers quickly fired off inquiries because giving the government free services would violate the Anti-Deficiency Act, and direct work for the administration would contradict the firms' prior representations that any free legal work would be limited to a relatively benign list of charitable causes."
"Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is handling work for the U.S. Commerce Department, a department official confirmed on Wednesday. The New York firm is the latest Big Law firm that reached a pro bono deal with President Donald Trump this year to commit to do work on behalf of the U.S. government. Simpson Thacher has already started working for the department, but the firm and the U.S. government are working to finalize an agreement for the firm's work."
Several major law firms reached pro bono agreements with the administration and have performed work for the U.S. Commerce Department. Lawmakers raised Anti-Deficiency Act concerns because unpaid work for the government can violate federal law. Firms had previously represented that any free legal work would be limited to charitable causes, yet they reportedly worked directly for the department. Simpson Thacher has begun handling Commerce Department matters while terms are being finalized, which implies a paid engagement. Confirmation of payment would resolve legal and misrepresentation concerns, but firms have not clearly disclosed payment status.
Read at Above the Law
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