This is so fucking dumb, but his followers will believe it. They are promising $100M, or whatever, in pro bono services. I am not defending these law firms from caving... it's cowardice. But if you read what Paul Weiss or Skadden, for instance, agreed to, they aren't really doing anything they wouldn't be anyway outside killing their DEI programs. To put it in perspective, $100M at the highest available rates (which is what will be applied) is 50-100 hours per lawyer at a firm like Paul Weiss or Skadden (and it's probably less given how rates are going up). Over number of years, that's already happening. But it's not like they are cutting $100M checks to the government. The partnership would revolt. This is all performative by dear leader. Still, it will be interesting to see if there is a stigma in recruiting associates (both lateral and out of law school). I think there will be.
I think if a collection of firms, starting with the 20 or so on the EEOC list that haven't caved, could unify on this, it could really create some noise. I'll be interested to see how the EEOC letters get addressed. Managing partners/firm CEOs of the Biglaw firms get together and talk on lots of things. They have conferences to share ideas, they self-insure together, etc. My guess is most will ignore or quietly respond to the EEOC letters. But there is opportunity here to do something significant. I won't hold my breath.