Milbank Fights Trump DOJ, Despite Law Firm's White House Deal

Neal Katyal and Gurbir Grewal, lawyers who command well over $2,000 an hour for their services, are slashing their rates to defend two New Jersey municipalities against a Justice Department lawsuit over their "sancutary city" policies. This on its own would be noteworthy, but what makes it even more interesting is that their law firm—Manhattan-based Milbank LLP—reached a deal with the White House earlier this year, pledging $100 million in free legal services on shared focus areas to avoid getting hit with a punitive executive order. On this episode of On The Merits, Bloomberg Law reporter Alex Ebert talks about why the Justice Department is suing these cities, just how big of a discount they're getting from Milbank, and whether the work could prompt the White House to rip up its the deal with the firm. Do you have feedback on this episode of On The Merits? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.