US Equal Opportunity Commission Demands 20 Law Firms Disclose DEI Employment Practices

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is turning up the heat on 20 law firms, demanding detailed data about their employment practices aimed at boosting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The federal agency, led by acting chair Andrea Lucas, warned that some of these practices might be skating on thin legal ice under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

Lucas sent letters to the firms, including high-profile names like Perkins Coie, Hogan Lovells, Ropes & Gray, and WilmerHale. Interestingly, many of these firms have a history of legal battles against former President Donald Trump’s administration or ties to his political adversaries. Coincidence? Probably not.

Some of the firms have been vocal about their commitment to diversity, with numerical goals for recruiting lawyers based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Lucas expressed concern that such practices could amount to "unlawful disparate treatment" or "unlawful limiting, segregating, and classifying" employees based on protected characteristics.

"The EEOC is prepared to root out discrimination anywhere it may rear its head, including in our nation’s elite law firms," Lucas declared. "No one is above the law—and certainly not the private bar." A spicy statement if there ever was one!

The letters requested information on internships, scholarships, and fellowships offered to law students, as well as hiring and compensation practices. Lucas even asked for the name, sex, and race of every lawyer who’s worked at or applied to these firms since 2019. Oh, and all of this data is expected in a "searchable Excel spreadsheet." Because nothing says thorough investigation like a good ol' spreadsheet.

Trump, who has been on a mission to dismantle DEI programs across sectors, issued executive orders targeting Perkins Coie and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison for their alleged discriminatory internal diversity policies. These measures restricted the firms’ government access and federal contracting work, while revoking security clearances for some lawyers. Not surprisingly, Perkins Coie fought back, alleging constitutional violations, and a judge temporarily blocked parts of the order.

Lucas also requested information on clients since 2019 with "diversity requirements" and asked how the firms responded to such client demands. This deep dive into DEI practices has undoubtedly put these firms on edge.

While the EEOC typically investigates discrimination complaints brought by workers or commissioners, Lucas has not filed any formal complaints against these firms—yet. But the agency’s proactive approach here is making waves.

It’s clear that the battle over DEI policies in the legal world is far from over, and this latest move by the EEOC adds another layer of complexity. Will these elite firms defend their practices, or will they fold under scrutiny? Stay tuned; this saga is only just beginning.