EEOC Defends Withholding Records About Law-Firm DEI Inquiry

October 6, 2026

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is asking a federal court to keep records about its inquiry into law firms’ diversity, equity and inclusion practices confidential. The dispute concerns access to government records; it does not establish that any law firm violated employment law.

Procedural status: The EEOC filed a summary-judgment motion on October 5 in two Freedom of Information Act cases. The challengers seek disclosure, and the cases remain pending. The agency argues that FOIA exemptions and confidentiality protections apply, including presidential-communications privilege.

Responses: The requesters are challenging the withholding and seeking release of the records. No court ruling on the merits of the disclosure dispute is reported.

Sources: Reuters, October 6, 2026 · EEOC filing (PDF), October 5, 2026