Latest news with #LegalAction
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
US judge overturns Trump order targeting major law firm Jenner & Block
A US judge on Friday overturned Donald Trump's executive order targeting Jenner & Block, a big law firm that employed a lawyer who investigated him. Trump's executive order, called Addressing Risks from Jenner & Block, suspended security clearances for the firm's lawyers and restricted their access to government buildings, officials and federal contracting work. Trump accused the law firm of engaging in activities that 'undermine justice and the interests of the United States', claiming that it participated in politically driven legal actions. In the executive order, Trump specifically criticized the firm for hiring Andrew Weissmann, an attorney who worked on Robert Mueller's investigation into allegations of Russian influence in Trump's 2016 campaign. The firm sued to block Trump's order, arguing it violated the constitution's first and fifth amendments. US district judge John D Bates ruled on Friday that Trump's directive violated core rights under the US constitution, mirroring a 2 May ruling that struck down a similar executive order against law firm Perkins Coie. Bates did not mince words when calling a Trump executive order unconstitutional, which sought to target Jenner & Block. Trump's order, Bates wrote, 'makes no bones about why it chose its target: it picked Jenner because of the causes Jenner champions, the clients Jenner represents, and a lawyer Jenner once employed'. 'Going after law firms in this way is doubly violative of the constitution,' Bates said. The justice department and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The administration can appeal Bates' order to the US court of appeals for the District of Columbia circuit. Trump signed an executive order in March, targeting Jenner & Block by suspending security clearances and restricting their access to government buildings, officials and federal contracting work. This was, Trump claimed, because of politically motivated 'lawfare' the firm engaged in. By attempting to push forward this executive order, Trump attempted to 'chill legal representation the administration doesn't like, thereby insulating the executive branch from the judicial check fundamental to the separation of powers'. Bates added that the Trump executive orders against law firms 'follow the same recipe: other than personalized touches in their first sections, they generally direct the same adverse actions towards each firm and decry the threat each firm poses to national security and the national interest'. Bates was appointed to the District of Columbia in 2001 by George W Bush. He blocked Trump's executive order completely. Apart from Jenner and Perkins Coie, two other firms – WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey – have sued the Trump administration to permanently block executive orders he issued against them. Nine law firms, including Paul Weiss, Milbank, Simpson Thacher and Skadden Arps, have pledged nearly $1bn in free legal services to causes the White House supports and made other concessions to avoid being targeted by Trump. The justice department has defended Trump's executive orders against Jenner and other law firms as consistent with the broad reach of presidential authority. Reuters contributed reporting
Malay Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘Kicking the Acropolis': Adidas drone campaign sparks legal fury in Greece
ATHENS, May 17 — A promotional video for Adidas featuring a multicoloured trainer on the Acropolis has sparked public outrage in Greece, prompting the government yesterday to announce legal action as no filming permit was granted. 'The legal procedure was not followed,' Culture Minister Lina Mendoni told Skaï radio, describing the imagery as 'extremely unpleasant' and likening it to 'the Adidas shoe... kicking the Acropolis'. She said a legal complaint would be filed against 'all those responsible,' with the judiciary expected to investigate how the incident occurred. Adidas's Greek subsidiary did not respond to AFP requests for comment. The image, splashed across the front pages of several Greek media outlets yesterday, was captured during a drone show held Thursday evening at the Zappeion Hall. The neoclassical building in central Athens is used for events and managed by a state-run legacy commission under the supervision of the Finance Ministry. The drone display was staged by the company Essence Mediacom as part of a campaign for an Adidas product. According to some reports, Essence Mediacom applied on April 30 for permission to hold the show and was granted approval in exchange for a fee of 'just €380 (RM1,830)'. Essence Mediacom also did not respond to AFP's inquiries. Mendoni said: 'The Zappeion administration should have sought approval from the Culture Ministry before granting such authorisation.' 'There has been a violation of the law on archaeological heritage,' she added. Greek law regulating the use of archaeological sites — many dating back more than 2,500 years — is particularly strict. The Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis, a Unesco World Heritage site built in the 5th century BC, received over 4.5 million visitors in 2024. 'The Acropolis, a global symbol of culture and democracy, cannot be treated as a backdrop for commercial use,' said the opposition Pasok party, accusing the government of negligence. 'Serious questions arise about the role and responsibility of the Culture Ministry,' the party added. In early April, the Culture Ministry had rejected a request from Oscar-winning Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos to film at the Acropolis, arguing that the scenes did not reflect the historic site's image. The incident has also sparked criticism on social media, with users posting: 'No to Yorgos Lanthimos. Yes to Adidas. No to art, yes to money.' — AFP
CTV News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Auditor confirms violations of Elections Act by Khalil Ramal's 2022 mayoral campaign
Former London mayoral candidate Khalil Ramal could soon have his campaign finances at the centre of potential legal action. CTV`s Daryl Newcombe explains.
