Several major law firms that reached agreements with President Trump to avoid punitive executive orders are staying out of the legal fight over the midterm elections. A New York Times review found none of these firms are publicly involved in the main cases challenging the administration’s election actions.
The firms negotiated deals earlier this year after Trump signed executive orders targeting their business. Those orders threatened government contracts and security clearances for firms tied to cases the administration opposed. The agreements let the firms resume normal operations.
Legal efforts to check the administration’s midterm influence are now led by other parties. Civil rights groups and state attorneys general have filed many of the major suits. Some individual lawyers from the firms are active, but the firms themselves remain on the sidelines.
The agreements have drawn criticism from legal ethics scholars. They argue the deals could discourage firms from taking on politically sensitive cases. Firm leaders have defended the arrangements as necessary to protect clients and employees.
The White House says the executive orders were meant to enforce accountability in federal contracting. Critics describe them as retaliation for legal work the president disliked. The midterm cases focus on voting rules, ballot access, and federal election oversight.
With midterms approaching, the stakes are rising for both sides. Courts are weighing several requests for emergency relief in election-related disputes. The absence of top firms from these cases leaves a narrower pool of legal resources.
Some clients have quietly asked firms to avoid election litigation, according to people familiar with the matter. Others say the firms fear losing government business if they join the challenges. The firms have declined to comment publicly on their decisions.
The result is a two-tier legal landscape. Well-funded advocacy groups and government lawyers carry the main election cases. Large corporate firms concentrate on commercial work and stay clear of politically charged disputes.
