Coalition of states joins Texas AG Paxton in scrutinizing whether major law firms have engaged in discriminatory hiring through their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

Austin, Texas – Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken a significant step in what he describes as a fight against “illegal” employment practices under the guise of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the legal sector. Leading a coalition of multiple states, Paxton has initiated a comprehensive inquiry into the DEI policies of twenty prominent law firms across the nation.

This move is part of a broader effort aligned with the Trump Administration’s stance on DEI practices, which they argue could potentially violate federal anti-discrimination laws as well as state laws against deceptive trade practices. On March 17, a pivotal moment in this initiative was marked by Commissioner Andrea Lucas of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission—recently appointed Acting Chair by President Trump—sending out letters to these law firms. The letters request detailed information to assess whether these firms have engaged in any discriminatory actions through their employment policies related to DEI.

“The blatantly illegal employment discrimination perpetuated by law firms and other businesses under un-American DEI ideology must be brought to an immediate and permanent end,” said Attorney General Paxton. “I am leading the charge at the state level to support President Trump’s efforts to end this insanity and restore equal treatment. Employers should look at qualifications, not quotas, in their hiring decisions.”

In response to the federal administration’s request, Paxton has urged the targeted law firms to not only comply with this federal inquiry but also to forward the same information to the attorney generals of all states involved in this coalition by the deadline of April 15. The collected data will then be used to determine whether any of the practices indeed breach legal standards, and if so, to ensure that these firms comply with lawful hiring practices.

The implications of this investigation could be far-reaching, affecting not only the involved law firms but also potentially setting a precedent for how DEI initiatives are implemented across various sectors. Critics of Paxton’s move argue that it may undermine efforts to promote workplace diversity and inclusion, which are seen as beneficial for fostering innovation and reflecting the society’s diversity within professional environments.

This development is particularly notable as it illustrates a significant clash between state-level leadership and corporate policies on matters of employment and diversity. It also underscores the ongoing national debate over the role of government in regulating corporate practices related to diversity and inclusion. As this situation unfolds, it will be critical to monitor the responses from the law firms, the legal ramifications, and the potential impacts on DEI policies nationally.

To read the letter, click here.Top of Form