Lobbying firms see early revenue boost.

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The Afternoon Docket

The Afternoon Docket

A newsletter by Reuters and Westlaw

 

By Caitlin Tremblay

What's going on today?

  • The ABA sued the DOJ, claiming retaliation over grants.
  • U.S. lobbying firms see early revenue boost in Trump's second term.
  • U.S. judge blocks Trump from withholding funds from 16 'sanctuary' cities, counties.

Have a nice day.

 

Trump Organization to fire lawyer after Trump criticizes him for Harvard work

 

REUTERS/Nicholas Pfosi/File Photo

President Trump lashed out at a lawyer for the Trump Organization who is also representing Harvard University in its lawsuit against his administration, saying the company should fire him. Trump’s post on his social media platform Truth Social did not name the attorney, but it appeared to describe prominent Washington lawyer William Burck of Quinn Emanuel. Read more.

Burck is a lead attorney for Harvard in a lawsuit filed this week accusing the Trump administration of illegally moving to freeze more than $2 billion in federal funding as part of a pressure campaign against the research institution and other schools. In January, the Trump Organization said it retained Burck, a longtime Republican insider, as an outside ethics adviser to help develop and maintain internal policies to ward against conflicts of interest.

Asked whether Burck still worked for the Trump Organization, Eric Trump, who runs the organization with his brother Donald Trump Jr, said in a statement on Thursday: "I view it as conflict and I will be moving in a different direction." He did not elaborate.

 

More top news

  • U.S. judge blocks Trump from withholding funds from 16 'sanctuary' cities, counties
  • Judge partly blocks Trump order seeking to overhaul U.S. elections
  • Trump asks U.S. Supreme Court to enforce transgender military ban
  • ABA sued DOJ, claiming retaliation over grants
  • Exclusive: Trump administration moved Venezuelan to Texas for possible deportation despite judge's order
  • U.S. judge orders return of second migrant deported to El Salvador
  • Judge delays approval of $2.8 billion NCAA settlement over roster limit question
  • U.S. judge limits Trump's ability to withhold school funds over DEI
  • U.S. warns states they could lose transportation funding over immigration, DEI policies
 
 

U.S. lobbying firms see early revenue boost in Trump's second term

 

REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo

Top firms in D.C. are reporting an influx of lobbying dollars as companies, industry groups and others navigate President Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress. U.S. law firm Akin said the first quarter of 2025 was its strongest ever for lobbying revenue. It brought in $16.4 million, an 18.75% increase from the first quarter of 2024.

Trump's aggressive moves on tariffs and trade have made it critical for companies to have a voice in Washington, said Brian Pomper, the co-leader of Akin's lobbying and public policy practice. "For the first time, trade really is a C-suite issue," Pomper said. He said he has never been busier in his 20-year lobbying career. Read more.

Billable Hours is Reuters' weekly report on lawyers and money. Please send tips or suggestions to D.Thomas@thomsonreuters.com.

 

In other news...

Trump tells Putin to "STOP" after Russian attack kills 12 in Kyiv … Crowds wait for hours to pay final respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter's … The global economy is on a Trump roller-coaster ride … 100 days of DOGE: lots of chaos, not so much efficiency … U.S. focuses on persecution claims as white South Africans seek resettlement … What the Texas ICE detention facility housing Venezuelans at risk of deportation looks like … Gaza’s shattered landmarks … Holocaust survivors march in Auschwitz 80 years after camp's liberation … And our top photos of the day.

 
 

Contact

Caitlin Tremblay