The discussions come as President Trump has taken aim at WilmerHale, another big law firm. Other major firms are said to be trying to cut deals with the White House.

The question now is how other firms can adapt without compromising their principles—and whether there is space to carve out a more strategic, sustainable response, Erin Harrison writes.

I cannot imagine a worse deal than the one that Skadden came away with.” That’s the opinion of one of the law firm’s own associates, Rachel Cohen. On this episode of our podcast, On The Merits, Cohen speaks with Bloomberg Law editor Jessie Kokrda Kamens about her reaction to the Skadden deal and about what power associates have in this ongoing battle between Big Law and the White House.