Some of the largest law firms in the world, known to be part of Big Law, have settled with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over their diversity practices.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Acting Chair Andrea Lucas had sent letters to twenty firms, warning that the agency is “prepared to root out discrimination anywhere it may rear its head, including in our nation’s elite law firms,” a reference to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs which discriminate against employees because of their immutable traits.

The letters from Lucas had asked specifically about discrimination against white and male employees, applicants, and trainees “in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”

Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and A&O Shearman Sterling LLC have each “entered into a settlement agreement” with the agency, committing to a multi-year plan to adopt “lawful merit-based hiring, promotion, and retention.”

“The statutory goal of Title VII is voluntary compliance with the law,” Lucas remarked. “We are hopeful these firms will be leaders in their industry by eliminating potentially unlawful DEI-based employment practices and returning to merit-based equal employment opportunity for all.”

Trump administration officials have indeed been seeking to address discrimination occurring under diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, which critics note offer positions and promotions in accordance with traits like race and sex rather than merit, productivity, or excellence.