The law firm Seyfarth Shaw on Wednesday withdrew from representing the U.S. Soccer Federation in a pay-equity case in California amid widespread criticism over a court filing that said players on the U.S. Women's National Team had less "skill" than their male colleagues.

The court filing last month in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California caused a national uproar, and the U.S. Soccer Federation swiftly announced that Latham & Watkins would join the legal team "and guide our legal strategy going forward."

Then-federation president Carlos Cordeiro said in a statement at the time: "I have made it clear to our legal team that, even as we debate facts and figures in the course of this case, we must do so with the utmost respect not only for our women's national team players but for all female athletes around the world. As we do, we will continue to work to resolve this suit in the best interest of everyone involved."

At the time, Seyfarth and the U.S. Soccer Federation were mum on whether the Seyfarth lawyers would remain on the case. Nine Seyfarth lawyers were named on the firm's notice of withdrawal Wednesday.

Wednesday's filing in the suit said Latham would take over as counsel of record. New York-based Latham partner Jamie Wine was identified as a lead attorney for the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Latham and Seyfarth did not immediately comment about the maneuvering in the case.

The Women's National Team is represented by Winston & Strawn. The female players contend the U.S. Soccer Federation is discriminating against them by paying players on the men's team more money.

Cordeiro has since resigned as president of the U.S. Soccer Federation.

"It has become clear to me that what is best right now is a new direction," Cordeiro said in a statement March 12. "The arguments and language contained in this week's legal filing caused great offense and pain, especially to our extraordinary Women's National Team players who deserve better. It was unacceptable and inexcusable."

The federation elected Cindy Parlow Cone, a former player on the women's national team, as its president, the first female to hold the position.

Read more: