Latest news with #LawFirmIntimidationPolicy
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Business Standard
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
American Bar Association sues Trump admin for threatening lawyers' freedom
The American Bar Association sued the US President Donald Trump's administration on Monday (local time) to stop him from using executive orders to pressure and punish law firms. The American Bar Association, or ABA, a voluntary organisation for lawyers, accused Trump of threatening the independence of lawyers and attempting to intimidate them from challenging him in court, The Washington Post reported. The group's lawsuit said, 'Never before has there been as urgent a need for the ABA to defend its members, their profession, and the rule of law itself.' This comes after Trump, in a series of executive orders, rattled the legal profession and punished some law firms. ABA, in its lawsuit, alleged that the executive orders Trump signed and the agreements it made with several law firms to ease federal sanctions have cast a 'blizzard-like chill' across the legal industry, Politico reported. The group in its lawsuit added, 'Since taking office earlier this year, President Trump has used the vast powers of the Executive Branch to coerce lawyers and law firms to abandon clients, causes, and policy positions the President does not like.' Top law firms challenge Trump orders The major law firms that have been impacted the most by Trump's executive orders include Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Four firms sued to challenge the Trump administration. Calling them unconstitutional, a federal court in Washington struck down three of those orders. A ruling in the fourth lawsuit, which has been filed by the firm Susman Godfrey, is pending, though the judge hearing that case has temporarily blocked most of Trump's punishments. Trump's executive orders and memos sought to freeze the federal caseload and restricted lawyers from entering the government buildings. Allegations of legal intimidation tactics The ABA's lawsuit details how President Trump and his administration have adopted and implemented this Law Firm Intimidation Policy on an ongoing basis. The administration has targeted firms who have engaged in disfavoured conduct. It has issued sanctions designed to cripple their businesses and limit their ability to freely represent clients. The intimidation tactics include: Terminating security clearances Cancelling government contracts held by the law firms or their clients Restricting access to federal buildings. Refusing to hire employees from these firms for federal government jobs. White House dismisses ABA lawsuit Reacting to the lawsuit, the White House spokesperson Harrison Fields termed them 'completely frivolous'. He added, 'The President has always had discretion over which contracts the government enters into and who receives security clearances. His exercise of these core executive functions cannot be dictated by the ABA, a private organisation, or the courts. The Administration looks forward to ultimate victory on this issue.' Tensions have escalated after the Justice Department officials accused the ABA group of bias and blocking its staff from attending the events.
The Hill
a day ago
- Business
- The Hill
ABA sues Trump over series of orders targeting law firms
The American Bar Association (ABA) has filed a lawsuit challenging the administration's crackdown on the legal profession, casting President Trump's various executive orders as a 'Law Firm Intimidation Policy.' The First Amendment suit, nearly 100 pages long, argues that Trump's targeting of firms has creating a chilling effect among all firms, regardless of whether they've signed deals with the administration. 'The result of the Law Firm Intimidation Policy has been a pervasive fear within the legal community and the justice system at large. Many attorneys are no longer willing to take on representations that would require suing the federal government because doing so poses a serious risk of becoming the next target of the administration's devastating sanctions,' ABA wrote in a press release announcing the suit. 'This blizzard-like chill on the profession has continued even after firms challenging their own executive orders have won repeated court victories. Those victories only protect those firms. The ABA has filed this action to protect all its members.' Since taking office, Trump signed multiple firm-specific executive orders that scrapped security clearances for lawyers of some firms, and barred their attorneys from entering federal buildings – something numerous firms said would be crippling to their business. He also signed another order pledging sanctions for firms that bring 'vexatious' litigation – a pathway to go after nonprofits as well as larger law firms that provide pro bono legal services in causes that may run afoul of the Trump administration, such as those challenging his immigration policies. Firms that have challenged their targeting under Trump have been on a winning streak in court. But another nine have signed deals with Trump, collectively agreeing to do nearly $1 billion in pro bono work for causes championed by the president. The ABA suit described Trump's policies as 'working as designed.' It said it is limiting pro bono work, including by firms that signed deals with Trump and now do not want to run afoul of the White House. 'Even as federal judges have ruled over and over that the Law Firm Orders are plainly unconstitutional, law firms that once proudly contributed thousands of hours of pro bono work to a host of causes—including causes championed by the ABA—have withdrawn from such work because it is disfavored by the Administration, particularly work that would require law firms to litigate against the federal government,' the ABA wrote in the suit. The suit, filed in D.C., ends with a request to lift all suspensions of security clearances or taking any disciplinary action against ABA members based on their client representation. It frames Trump's orders as an effort to insulate the White House from scrutiny. 'Without skilled lawyers to bring and argue cases—and to do so by advancing the interests of their clients without fear of reprisal from the government—the judiciary cannot function as a meaningful check on executive overreach,' the ABA writes in the suit. The suit also criticizes the unwritten nature of the agreements, saying they had the effect of 'dragooning' firms into Trump's service and 'coerce' them into abandoning their own causes, 'such as immigration cases or diversity initiatives.' It also points to comments from Trump saying law firms will need to 'behave themselves.' 'These firms all agreed to represent clients in pro bono cases approved by the Administration, and to jettison hiring practices disdained by the President. These 'settlements' are apparently not in writing or enforceable by the law firms, so the President can change his mind at any time and impose an executive order if the firms stray too far from the President's wishes—thus maintaining the coercive effect of the Policy even against 'settling' law firms,' the suit states. The White House called the suit frivolous and said they expect to prevail in court. 'The American Bar Association's lawsuit is clearly frivolous. The President has always had discretion over which contracts the government enters into and who receives security clearances. His exercise of these core executive functions cannot be dictated by the ABA, a private organization, or the courts. The Administration looks forward to ultimate victory on this issue,' White House spokesman Harrison Fields said in a statement. The suit is sure to ratchet up tensions between the ABA and the Trump administration. The Justice Department announced last month it would cut the ABA's access to judicial nominees, accusing the association of bias in its review process. The group fought back, calling such claims unfounded, noting that Trump's nominees don't fare any worse than those of other administrations, and questioning why the Trump team wouldn't want to thoroughly vet those up for lifetime appointments to the bench.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
American Bar Association Files Suit to Halt Government Intimidation of Lawyers and Law Firms
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Bar Association today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, more than two dozen federal departments and agencies, and the heads of those departments and agencies, asking a federal court to declare unconstitutional the Trump administration's ongoing unlawful policy of intimidation against lawyers and law firms and to enjoin the government from enforcing the policy. The American Bar Association today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, asking a federal court to declare unconstitutional the Trump administration's ongoing unlawful policy of intimidation against lawyers and law firms. Share Since taking office earlier this year, President Donald Trump and his administration have used the vast powers of the executive branch to coerce lawyers and law firms to abandon clients, causes and policy positions the president does not like, the lawsuit asserts. The Trump administration has carried out this policy through a series of executive orders, letters, memos and public statements designed to damage certain law firms and intimidate others. These relentless attacks have produced a chilling effect across the legal profession — including on many members of the American Bar Association — causing harm to the justice system at large and limiting access to representation for individuals and organizations whose positions the administration disfavors. The ABA stands for the rule of law and access to justice for all. Today, the American legal profession and the members of the American Bar Association face an unprecedented challenge. As the nation's largest voluntary association of lawyers, the ABA is compelled to take action and seek meaningful relief through the courts on behalf of its members and in support of the American bar. Attacks on the legal profession are uniquely destructive because of the critical role that lawyers fulfill in the constitutional system of our country, the lawsuit notes. Without skilled lawyers to bring and argue cases, the judiciary cannot function as a meaningful check on the executive branch. The ABA's lawsuit details how President Trump and his administration have adopted and implemented this Law Firm Intimidation Policy on an ongoing basis. The administration has targeted firms who have engaged in disfavored conduct. It has issued sanctions designed to cripple their businesses and limit their ability to freely represent clients. Tactics include terminating security clearances, severing government contracts of law firms and their clients, limiting access to federal buildings and refraining from hiring employees of certain firms for jobs in the federal government. As detailed in the filing, some firms have contested the orders in court while many others have entered into deals with the administration to avoid becoming the target of future executive orders. The result of the Law Firm Intimidation Policy has been a pervasive fear within the legal community and the justice system at large. Many attorneys are no longer willing to take on representations that would require suing the federal government because doing so poses a serious risk of becoming the next target of the administration's devastating sanctions. This blizzard-like chill on the profession has continued even after firms challenging their own executive orders have won repeated court victories. Those victories only protect those firms. The ABA has filed this action to protect all its members, representing a far broader section of the legal profession. The administration has demonstrated that it intends to continue the Law Firm Intimidation Policy in order to intimidate lawyers and law firms from taking on cases adverse to the president's interests. These attacks are clear violations of First Amendment rights, including prohibitions on government coercion to suppress free speech, discrimination based on viewpoints held by lawyers and law firms, and the right of citizens to assemble freely and to petition the government. 'This is the time to stand up, speak out and seek relief from our courts,' said William R. Bay, president of the American Bar Association. 'There has never been a more urgent time for the ABA to defend its members, our profession and the rule of law itself.' The case, American Bar Association v. Executive Office of the President, et al., has been filed in the United States District Court in the District of Columbia. Read the filing here.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
American Bar Association Files Suit to Halt Government Intimidation of Lawyers and Law Firms
CHICAGO, June 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Bar Association today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, more than two dozen federal departments and agencies, and the heads of those departments and agencies, asking a federal court to declare unconstitutional the Trump administration's ongoing unlawful policy of intimidation against lawyers and law firms and to enjoin the government from enforcing the policy. Since taking office earlier this year, President Donald Trump and his administration have used the vast powers of the executive branch to coerce lawyers and law firms to abandon clients, causes and policy positions the president does not like, the lawsuit asserts. The Trump administration has carried out this policy through a series of executive orders, letters, memos and public statements designed to damage certain law firms and intimidate others. These relentless attacks have produced a chilling effect across the legal profession — including on many members of the American Bar Association — causing harm to the justice system at large and limiting access to representation for individuals and organizations whose positions the administration disfavors. The ABA stands for the rule of law and access to justice for all. Today, the American legal profession and the members of the American Bar Association face an unprecedented challenge. As the nation's largest voluntary association of lawyers, the ABA is compelled to take action and seek meaningful relief through the courts on behalf of its members and in support of the American bar. Attacks on the legal profession are uniquely destructive because of the critical role that lawyers fulfill in the constitutional system of our country, the lawsuit notes. Without skilled lawyers to bring and argue cases, the judiciary cannot function as a meaningful check on the executive branch. The ABA's lawsuit details how President Trump and his administration have adopted and implemented this Law Firm Intimidation Policy on an ongoing basis. The administration has targeted firms who have engaged in disfavored conduct. It has issued sanctions designed to cripple their businesses and limit their ability to freely represent clients. Tactics include terminating security clearances, severing government contracts of law firms and their clients, limiting access to federal buildings and refraining from hiring employees of certain firms for jobs in the federal government. As detailed in the filing, some firms have contested the orders in court while many others have entered into deals with the administration to avoid becoming the target of future executive orders. The result of the Law Firm Intimidation Policy has been a pervasive fear within the legal community and the justice system at large. Many attorneys are no longer willing to take on representations that would require suing the federal government because doing so poses a serious risk of becoming the next target of the administration's devastating sanctions. This blizzard-like chill on the profession has continued even after firms challenging their own executive orders have won repeated court victories. Those victories only protect those firms. The ABA has filed this action to protect all its members, representing a far broader section of the legal profession. The administration has demonstrated that it intends to continue the Law Firm Intimidation Policy in order to intimidate lawyers and law firms from taking on cases adverse to the president's interests. These attacks are clear violations of First Amendment rights, including prohibitions on government coercion to suppress free speech, discrimination based on viewpoints held by lawyers and law firms, and the right of citizens to assemble freely and to petition the government. "This is the time to stand up, speak out and seek relief from our courts," said William R. Bay, president of the American Bar Association. "There has never been a more urgent time for the ABA to defend its members, our profession and the rule of law itself." The case, American Bar Association v. Executive Office of the President, et al., has been filed in the United States District Court in the District of Columbia. Read the filing here. The ABA is one of the largest voluntary associations of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law. View our privacy statement online. Follow the latest ABA news at and on X (formerly Twitter) @ABANews. View source version on Contacts Matt CimentoPhone: 202-662-1092Email: Online:
