Integrity Wall - Legal
The people and organizations on these pages include civil servants, organizations and other individuals/entities who stood up for the laws that protect our citizens, our data, our society and justice. Some people resigned rather than compromise their integrity or violate federal statute. Some retired or were fired instead. Others have been targeted by the regime and/or are standing firm against tyranny. In every instance, each chose the path that illustrates the best of our nation despite the difficulties or risks to themselves, rather than the easy route. In some cases, it was to stand and fight (or be fired); in others, it meant resigning or retiring. Their examples sustain us and remind us to do the next right thing.
State Attorneys General
Democratic State Attorneys General and their staff strategized and prepared for close to a year on how best to combat expected actions from a second Trump administration. They drafted lawsuits to be tailored to specific actions and planned which states would take point on filing and arguing cases. Thanks to their foresight and hard work, they have been able to respond quickly to various Executive Orders that attack our rights.
Bob Ferguson
Former Washington Attorney General
Note: Mr. Ferguson is now the Governor of Washington.
In February, 2024, Mr. Ferguson spoke at a Democratic State Attorneys General meeting and made the case that the states needed to prepare for a second Trump term immediately.
“Whatever he is saying or articulating on the campaign trail, assume he’s going to do it — no matter how outlandish it may be — and prepare for that.”
Rob Bonta
California Attorney General
Mr. Bonta and his staff turned to Project 2025 to begin their initial analysis of what actions the states could expect from a second Trump administration.
Kwame Raoul
Illinois Attorney General
“It happens sometimes, where one AG may want to file in their state for a particular reason and another group may do it elsewhere. We’re trying as much as possible to minimize that and work together.
Aaron Frey
Maine Attorney General
“There was going to be a need for coordinated action, making sure that we were not caught flat-footed. It allowed us to be thinking about what it is that was going to be important for our states.”
Kris Mayes
Arizona Attorney General
Phil Weiser
Colorado Attorney General
William Tong
Connecticut Attorney General
Kathy Jennings
Delaware Attorney General
Brian
Schwalb
District of Columbia Attorney General
Anne
Lopez
Hawaii Attorney General
Andrea Campbell
Massachusetts Attorney General
Dana
Nessel
Michigan Attorney General
Anthony Brown
Maryland Attorney General
Mr. Brown launched a new six-person "federal accountability unit."
“I anticipate that Maryland will be taking a leadership role on more cases as soon as we have the bandwidth.”
Matthew Platkin
New Jersey
Attorney General
Before the election, Mr. Platkin asked for volunteers from his staff, noting it was not required and the state couldn't pay them extra for the work.
"Over fifty lawyers signed up not knowing who was going to win that election, because they were so concerned."
Letitia
James
New York
Attorney General
“It’s important that individuals understand that there are co-equal branches of law that need to be respected, and that states, again, have a unique responsibility to ensure that the Constitution is followed."
Peter
Neronha
Rhode Island
Attorney General
“I think there was a collective recognition that we wanted to approach things differently. We knew we would have to come up with a process by which everyone could and would participate.”
Keith Ellison
Minnesota Attorney General
Aaron Ford
Nevada Attorney General
Raúl Torrez
New Mexico Attorney General
Jeff Jackson
North Carolina Attorney General
Josh Kaul
Wisconsin Attorney General
“Making sure that information [specific state impact] is being included and considered as part of these cases is what I see as sort of a key role for us and for other states."
Dan Rayfield
Oregon Attorney General
Charity Clark
Vermont Attorney General
Nick Brown
Washington Attorney General
Law Firms, Attorneys & Judiciary
Perkins Coie LLC
Perkins Coie LLC
On March 6, 2025, the occupant of the Oval Office targeted Perkins Coie in retribution for perceived slights from years prior in the expectation of extorting legal services from them.
Perkins Coie chose to sue and issued a statement. On May 2, 2025, Judge Beryl Howell found that the Executive Order was unconstitutional and "is thus null and void."
"At the heart of the order is an unlawful attack on the free-dom of all Americans to select counsel of their choice without fear of retribution or punish-ment from the government."
Marc
Elias
Elias Law Group
Founder of the Elias Law Group, Mr. Elias also received attention from the Oval Office with its direction to have the Attorney General investigate non-existent fraud.
"Elias Law Group will not be deterred from fighting for democracy in court. There will be no negotiation with this White House about the clients we represent or the lawsuits we bring on their behalf."
Covington & Burling LLP
Covington & Burling LLP
On February 25, 2025, Covington & Burling LLP found themselves targeted in retaliation for its pro bono work defending former Special Counsel Jack Smith after he was targeted.
"We recently agreed to represent Jack Smith when it became apparent that he would become a subject of a government investigation... We look forward to defending Mr. Smith's interests and appreciate the trust he has placed in us to do so."
Jenner &
Block
Jenner & Block
On March 25, 2025, the occupant of the White House targeted Jenner & Block, also in retaliation for past cases.
Jenner & Block filed their lawsuit on March 28, 2025 and issued a statement.
"To do otherwise would mean compromising our ability to zealously advocate for all of our clients and capitulating to unconstitutional government coercion, which is simply not in our DNA."
Rachel A.
Cohen
Associate at Skadden Arp
In March, 2025, Ms. Cohen from Skadden Arp took the lead on circulating an open letter to Biglaw asking their employers to lead the way in defending the rule of law and their colleagues from the White House attacks.
She resigned from Skadden Arp when they failed to do so.
"Do not pretend that what is happening is normal or excusable. It isn’t."
Keker, Van Nest & Peters
Law Firm
On March 22, 2025, Mr. Keker, Mr. Van Nest, Mr. Peters and Ms. Mims issued a public statement calling for lawyers to sign onto an amicus effort in support of Perkins Coie.
"An attack on lawyers who perform this work is inexcusable and despicable."
Equity Litigation Group LLP
Law Firm
On March 23, 2025, Equity Litigation Group posted on social media the statement below, but what impresses COTG is the statement pops up first thing when you visit their website.
"The attacks on lawyers, law firms, and judges by Donald Trump and Elon Musk are an attack on the American constitutional order. As lawyers, we have a special obligation to defend the rule of law from those who seek to destroy it. Equity Litigation Group stands with Perkins Coie, Covington & Burling LLP, Elias Law Group, Jack Smith, Marc Pomerantz, and every other lawyer and law firm targeted for doing their jobs. We will not be intimidated by bullies."
Clay
Jackson
Litigation Counsel,
Fidelity National Financial,
Dallas, Texas
On March 4, 2025, Mr. Jackson met with an immigrant family and informed them of their basic rights. Two days later, plain-clothed individuals, after disabling his wi-fi, came to his home accusing him of obstructing an ongoing immigration investigation.
He informed his employers that he intended to speak out and asked for their support. Instead, they threatened him and fired him on April 23, 2025 when the first story appeared publicly. FNF's founder and chairman donates large amounts to Trump's campaigns.
“I’m anti-MAGA and I’m worried about where this country is headed, but I’m pretty low key...But if it’s happened to me, it’s probably happened to other attorneys."
Brenna Trout Frey
Associate at Skadden Arp
On March 28, 2025, Ms. Frey publicly resigned after reading the an executive partner's justification for capitulation to the White House.
"The rule of law matters. As an attorney, if my employer cannot stand up for the rule of law, then I cannot ethically continue to work for them."
Thomas F.
Sipp
Associate at Skadden Arp
On April 2, 2025, Mr. Sipp publicly resigned after the firm limited firmwide distribution lists to limit discussion of the firm's decision to capitulate to the Oval Office.
“Skadden is on the wrong side of history. I could no longer stay knowing that someday I would have to explain why I stayed."
Joseph T.
Baio
Senior Counsel & Former Partner, Willkie Farr & Gallagher
In early April, 2025, and 47 years at the firm, Mr. Baio resigned from Willkie Farr & Gallagher when they chose to reach a deal with the Administration rather than fight an Executive Order in court.
Mr. Baio plans to “join the fight against governmental tyranny, unconstitutional decrees and social injustice, particularly at this critical time.”
Andrew Silberstein
Associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher
On April 3, 2025, Mr. Silberstein resigned from Willkie Farr & Gallagher in protest after the firm acquiesced to the Administration.
"Our words and actions mean everything. Every day comes clearer that individuals too must fight. Must carve out their place in all this. It is only in the aggregate we lose ourselves. But it is also only in the aggregate we can truly be saved."
Amir
Makled
Civil Rights Attorney,
Dearborn, Michigan
On April 8, 2025, Customs and Border Patrol detained and questioned Mr. Makled at Detroit Metro Airport when he returned home from vacation with his wife. The Tactical Terror Response Team wanted access to his phone.
"Why was I stopped now? And I think it had a lot to do with the cases that I'm taking and representing individuals who are standing up for their rights?"
Susman Godfrey LLP
Susman Godfrey LLP
On April 9, 2025, the occupant of the Oval Office targeted Susman Godfrey LLP in retribution for representing Dominion Voting Systems.
Susman Godfrey chose to sue and issued a statement.
“Anyone who knows Susman Godfrey knows we believe in the rule of law, and we take seriously our duty to uphold it. This principle guides us now. There is no question that we will fight this unconstitutional order.”
Steven
Banks
Pro Bono Practice Leader, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
On April 9, 2025, Mr. Banks chose to resign from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
“At this historical moment, I know that I belong back on the front lines fighting for the things that I have believed in since I first walked in the door of The Legal Aid Society as a staff attorney in 1981.”
Jacqui
Pittman
Associate at Kirkland Ellis LLP
On April 11, 2025, Ms. Pittman tendered her two-week notice at Kirkland Ellis LLP in response to the firm's capitulation to the Administration.
"While I had hope to stay and grow at K&E, I can no longer be complacent or ignore the truth of what's happening for the sake of temporary comfort."
Sam
Wong
Associate at Latham & Watkins
Not long after April 11, 2025, Mr. Wong resigned from Latham & Watkins in protest of the firm choosing to make a deal with the Administration.
“Freedom and democracy have always come at a cost; if this in part mine, I am willing to pay it.”
Siunik Moradian
Associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
On April 11, 2025, Mr. Moradian resigned from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP after the brokered a deal with the Administration to avoid an Executive Order.
“By capitulating today, Simpson Thacher joins several other historic, powerful, influential and well-resourced law firms in bending the knee and kissing the ring of authoritarianism."
Akila
Radhakrishnan
Human Rights Attorney
On April 11, 2025, Ms. Radhakrishnan, along with Matthew Smith, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration pertaining to the Executive Order dated February 6, 2025, Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court.
The sanctions in the EO prevent her from working with the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor by assisting in investigating and developing policies re: sexual and gender-based violence.
Rich
Davis
Associate at Paul Hastings
In mid-April 2025, Mr. Davis posted his reflections on BigLaw's responses to the unlawful Executive Orders issued by the White House.
"When faced with a moment - the biggest moment - that demanded courage and integrity, they failed. They failed themselves, they failed the many fine lawyers in their firms, they failed the legal profession and they failed the American people. They failed because they value their profits, and the business of law, more than they value the rule of law. I hope the rest of us will do better."
J.B.
Howard
Attorney at Cadwalader
On April 15, 2025, Cadwalader made a deal with the Administration to avoid an Executive Order. Mr. Howard resigned the same day.
"When faced with a moment - the biggest moment - that demanded courage and integrity, they failed. They failed themselves, they failed the many fine lawyers in their firms, they failed the legal profession and they failed the American people. They failed because they value their profits, and the business of law, more than they value the rule of law. I hope the rest of us will do better."
Maggie
Hagen
Associate at Kirkland Ellis LLP
On April 16, 2025, Ms. Hagen resigned from Kirkland Ellis after they made a deal with the Administration to avoid an Executive Order.
"When law firms yield to political pressure, it compromises the independence of our profession and threatens our ability to zealously advocate for our clients."
Gabor
Rona
Visiting Professor of Law,
Director of the Law and Armed Conflict Project,
Cardoza Law School
On April 16, 2025, Mr. Rona, along with Lisa Davis, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration pertaining to the Executive Order dated February 6, 2025, Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court. Specifically, as they have been denied their First Amendment rights and Fifth Amendment rights to conduct their duties.
Lisa
Davis
Professor of Law, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Programs,
CUNY School of Law
On April 16, 2025, Ms. Davis, along with Gabor Rona, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration pertaining to the Executive Order dated February 6, 2025, Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court. Specifically, as they have been denied their First Amendment rights and Fifth Amendment rights to conduct their duties. Ms. Davis is also a Special Advisor on Gender and other Discriminatory Crimes to the International Criminal Court Prosecutor
Foley Hoag LLP
Law Firm
On April 16, 2025, Gabor Rona and Lisa Davis, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration pertaining to the Executive Order dated February 6, 2025, Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court.
Foley Hoag LLP is part of the legal team representing the plaintiffs.
Harold
Grigsby III
Associate at Kirkland Ellis LLP
In mid to late April, 2025, Mr. Grigsby resigned from Kirkland Ellis after they made a deal to provide pro bono work that "support the Administration's initiatives" with Trump to avoid an Executive Order.
"I resign because I am afraid that Kirkland and other firms who have made similar agreements will, for example, transition from defending asylum seekers to drafting policies that deny them the due process to which they are entitled."
Trask Consulting
Jury Consultants and Litigation Consulting Firm
In mid to late April, 2025, Trask Consulting decided to no longer work with law firms who capitulated to Trump.
"The stand we are taking is a principled one we take for ourselves without regard to the outcome. I do believe that if others take a similar stand, the broader conversation could be affected. Solidarity is important in times like the one in which we find ourselves."
Akin Gump
Law Firm
On April 22, 2025, Learning Resources, Inc., in conjunction with hand 2 mind, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration instituting universal tariffs.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP are representing the plaintiffs.
Kevin
Decker
Associate at Kirkland Ellis LLP
In late April, 2025, Mr. Decker resigned his position at Kirkland Ellis LLP after they acquiesced to the Administration to avoid an Executive Order.
"This is part of a larger attack on the rule of law, along with efforts to nullify constitutional protections of due process, birthright citizenship, presidential term limits, and more. There is a tremendous opportunity for lawyers to oppose these threats, and I am inspired by the countless folks who have long been doing so."
Judge Hannah C. Dugan
Milwaukee County Circuit Court
On April 25, 2025, agents from the FBI publicly arrested Judge Dugan for concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding as it pertained to an immigrant at the courthouse days prior. Protests in her defense after her arrest outside the courthouse began within hours.
Dean Erwin
Chemerinsky
Dean, UC Berkeley Law
In late April, 2025, Dean Chemerinsky commented during a presentation:
"You, as law students, have a choice to make: if you think you’re going to a law firm, one of the criteria—maybe the criteria—to use to decide is whether you want to go to law firms that fought that or law firms that capitulated."
Abbe
Lowell
Lowell & Associates
On May 2, 2025, Mr. Lowell, who has over forty years of legal experience, announced he was opening a small firm that would represent individuals and organizations targeted by the Trump administration.
He represents New York Attorney General Letitia James, Miles Taylor and Mark Zaid. Notably, recent staff additions to his firm include Rachel Cohen and Brenna Trout Frey who resigned from Skadden Arp in protest.
"Our first and foremost obligation will always be to zealously represent an individual client. But by zealously representing an individual client, if we can be a force to strengthen the overall rule of law, that's what it's about."
Mark
Zaid
Mark S. Zaid, P.C.
On May 5, 2025, Mr. Zaid filed a lawsuit regarding the revocation of his security clearance. Trump revoked a number of security clearances by Presidential Memorandum on March 22, 2025 after Tulsi Gabbard posted on social media on March 10th stating Mr. Zaid's security clearance and barred his access to classified information.
Eric
Iverson
Prosecutor, International Criminal Court,
Office of the Prosecutor
On May 5, 2025, Mr. Iverson, a U.S. citizen and prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, Office of the Prosecutor, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration pertaining to the Executive Order dated February 6, 2025, Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court. Specifically, as Mr. Iverson has been denied his First Amendment rights and the ability to conduct his duties.
Human Rights
First
Nonpartisan, not-for-profit advocacy organization
On May 5, 2025, Eric Iverson, a U.S. citizen and prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, Office of the Prosecutor, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration pertaining to the Executive Order dated February 6, 2025, Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court. Specifically, as Mr. Iverson has been denied his First Amendment rights and the ability to conduct his duties.
Human Rights First is part of the legal team representing Mr. Iverson.
Jeh
Johnson
Partner,
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
On May 5, 2025, it was announced Mr. Johnson was retiring from Paul Weiss, the first law firm to acquiesce to the Administration, at the end of June. He was elected to be co-chair the Board of Trustees at Columbia University on April 24, 2025. Columbia was the first university to attempt to appease Trump.
"I am retiring from Paul Weiss and intend to devote significant time and energy to Columbia...I will work to preserve and promote the greatness and values of our University and will be committed to the welfare and safety of all our students."
Allison Ferber
Miller
Attorney, Law Office of
Allison Ferber Miller
On May 5, 2025, Eric Iverson, a U.S. citizen and prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, Office of the Prosecutor, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration pertaining to the Executive Order dated February 6, 2025, Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court. Specifically, as Mr. Iverson has been denied his First Amendment rights and the ability to conduct his duties.
Ms. Miller is part of the legal team representing Mr. Iverson.
Jeffrey S.
Gutman
Attorney,
Professor of Clinical Law, George Washington University of Law
On May 15, 2025, Liz Oyer, a former Pardon Attorney fired, filed another lawsuit pertaining to the government's failure to fill her FOIA requests. Mr. Gutman is part of her legal team.
Democracy
Forward
Nonprofit legal services and public policy research organization
On May 22, 2025, Sheri Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights, filed a lawsuit contesting her termination. Democracy Forward is part of the legal team representing her.
Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLP
Law Firm
On May 22, 2025, Sheri Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights, filed a lawsuit contesting her termination. Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLP is part of the legal team representing her.
Karen
Dunn
Partner,
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
On May 23, 2025, Ms. Dunn resigned from Paul Weiss to start another firm with three other partners.
William
Isaacson
Partner,
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
On May 23, 2025, Mr. Isaacson resigned from Paul Weiss to start another firm with three other partners.
Jeannie
Rhee
Partner,
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
On May 23, 2025, Ms. Rhee resigned from Paul Weiss to start another firm with three other partners.
Jessica
Phillips
Partner,
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
On May 23, 2025, Ms. Phillips resigned from Paul Weiss to start another firm with three other partners.
Kyle
Smith
Partner,
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
On June 2, 2025, Reuters reported that Mr. Smith resigned from Paul Weiss to partner with Dunn, Isaacson, Rhee LLP.
Kathleen
Rubenstein
Executive Director,
Skadden Foundation
On June 4, 2025, Ms. Rubenstein resigned her position which oversees the highly competitive and prestigious Skadden Fellows program.
"Funders have many more resources than grantees. We also rarely have our own lives or liberties on the line. The least we can do is act with urgency and courage commensurate with those we support. I felt we had fallen short—or rather, that they haven’t yet risen to that challenge. My hope is that Skadden charts a path that respects the rule of law and honors the core values of the Skadden Foundation. When they do, they’ll preserve and build on the Skadden Foundation’s unparalleled legacy. And I’ll cheer them on, as a former Skadden Fellow."
Damian
Williams
Attorney,
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Mr. Williams joined Paul Weiss in January 2025 after leaving the DOJ. On June 6, 2025, the New York Times reported that Mr. Williams has resigned from Paul Weiss, which was the first law firm to strike a deal with Trump regarding his unlawful Executive Orders, and is now joining the firm Jenner & Block who sued Trump for the unlawful Executive Order targeting the firm.
“Jenner & Block fearlessly advocates for its clients and provides outstanding strategic counsel through their most difficult challenges. I’ve seen firsthand how this firm expertly tackles the toughest cases and lives its values.”
Military Law
Task Force
Legal advocate for service members and veterans
On June 9, 2025, in response to Trump activating members of the California National Guard and deploying US Marines to Los Angeles, MLTF issued a statement.
"The Military Law Task Force of the National Lawyers Guild is opposed to the use of military forces to “put down” or “control” the heartfelt reactions by community members to workplace immigration raids in Los Angeles and other cities.
The Trump administration claims the use of the troops is necessary because local police are incapable of protecting the masked, non-uniformed, but heavily armed, federal forces from ICE, DHS, ATF and the FBI. Nothing could be further from the truth."
Benedict Y.
Hur
Partner,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
On June 13, 2025, Mr. Hur resigned from Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, who made an agreement with Trump to avoid an Executive Order targeting the firm to join Cooley LLP. Cooley represented Jenner & Block when that law firm chose to fight the unlawful Executive Order.
Simona Agnolucci
Partner,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
On June 13, 2025, Ms. Agnolucci resigned from Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, who made an agreement with Trump to avoid an Executive Order targeting the firm to join Cooley LLP. Cooley represented Jenner & Block when that law firm chose to fight the unlawful Executive Order.
Joshua
Anderson
Partner,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
On June 13, 2025, Mr. Anderson resigned from Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, who made an agreement with Trump to avoid an Executive Order targeting the firm to join Cooley LLP. Cooley represented Jenner & Block when that law firm chose to fight the unlawful Executive Order.
Tiffany M.
Lin
Partner,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
On June 13, 2025, Ms. Lin resigned from Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, who made an agreement with Trump to avoid an Executive Order targeting the firm to join Cooley LLP. Cooley represented Jenner & Block when that law firm chose to fight the unlawful Executive Order.
Jonathan
Patchen
Partner,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
On June 13, 2025, Mr. Patchen resigned from Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, who made an agreement with Trump to avoid an Executive Order targeting the firm to join Cooley LLP. Cooley represented Jenner & Block when that law firm chose to fight the unlawful Executive Order.
Michael
Rome
Partner,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
On June 13, 2025, Mr. Rome resigned from Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, who made an agreement with Trump to avoid an Executive Order targeting the firm to join Cooley LLP. Cooley represented Jenner & Block when that law firm chose to fight the unlawful Executive Order.
Eduardo
Santacana
Partner,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
On June 13, 2025, Mr. Santacana resigned from Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, who made an agreement with Trump to avoid an Executive Order targeting the firm to join Cooley LLP. Cooley represented Jenner & Block when that law firm chose to fight the unlawful Executive Order.
Letters of Support
Legal Profession
New York Times Opinion letters to the editor - A Profile in Courage From Danielle Sassoon - February 14, 2025
- New York County Lawyers Association, Adrienne B. Koch, President; Richard P. Swanson, President-elect; and Ronald C. Minkoff, Vice President
- "This is the way the rule of law is undermined. We are watching it in real time."
- Laurie Korenbaum, retired assistant U.S. attorney from the Southern District of New York
- "This is not justice; it is the handwork of a dictatorship in the making."
Lawyers for Good Government, Traci Feit Love, President and Executive Director - An Open Letter from American Lawyers: Defending Constitutional Democracy and the Rule of Law - approximately two dozen signatories on March 24, 2025
"These actions represent a coordinated attempt to concentrate unprecedented power in the executive branch while weakening both fundamental constitutional checks and balances and critical civil rights, human rights, and environmental protections."
New York Times Opinion - Our Law Firm Won’t Cave to Trump. Who Will Join Us? - Keker, Van Nest & Peters, Senior Partners John W. Keker, Robert A. Van Nest and Elliot R. Peters - March 30, 2025
"The common denominator among the president’s recent spate of actions is that he appears to believe he has absolute authority to govern by fiat."
42 members of the Seton Hall Law School and Rutgers Law School faculties in their personal capacities - New Jersey Needs a Qualified U.S. Attorney - April 2, 2025
"Traditionally, U.S. attorneys have taken office only after a successful Senate vote. President Trump has not sought Ms. Habba’s appointment through advice and consent, and has instead instructed the attorney general to appoint Ms. Habba as interim U.S. attorney."
Donati Law, PLLC resigned their membership with the Tennessee Bar Association due to the TBA's decision to remain silent about the attacks on the legal profession - April 22, 2025
"...the Trump Administration has exerted enormous pressure on the courts and judiciary and engaged in behavior that threatens the very fabric of our constitutional system."
Twelve student leaders of the American Constitution Society drafted Law Students Call on the Legal Profession to Defend the Rule of Law - April 28, 2025 - more than 1,200 law students and 120 law schools are signatory.
"The President’s actions undermine the legal profession. These threats and attacks aim to obstruct and dissuade lawyers from taking on clients that oppose the President’s agenda, undermining their ability to seek justice. Retaliatory attacks against lawyers and judges threaten not only the rule of law, but also separation of powers, thereby attacking both the foundation of the American justice system and the fundamental principles of a constitutional democracy."
DOJ Alumni Statement Opposing Executive Branch Attacks on Lawyers and Law Firms - April 30, 2025 - 1702 signatories
"All lawyers must condemn these actions targeting the legal profession and stand up for the rule of law. Doing so is essential to keeping ours a country of laws, not of men."
Former state and federal judges letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi protesting the arrest of Wisconsin Judge Hannah C. Dugan as an intimidation tactic - May 5, 2025 - 150 signatories
"This attempt to intimidate the judiciary will fail. The American people understand that the Constitution of the United States has made the nation’s judicial officers the guardians of the rule of law in our country, not the President. The nation’s judiciary does not operate at the President’s instruction or at his discretion. That is why the American people trust judges as guardians of the Constitution and the Rule of Law.
We unequivocally reject your and the Trump Administration's assault on the judiciary, the Rule of Law and those who administer it, including Judge Dugan. This does not make us “deranged.” It’s what makes us Americans."
Press Releases/Public Statements
Bruce Blackwell, President of Career Strategies Group - Lawyers: Are You Just Going to Stand There and Do Nothing? - February 25, 2025
"If we don’t do this now, right now, it may be too late. We all know the quote about the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men and women to do nothing. So don’t just stand there. Do something! Please! Republican or Democrat, Liberal or Conservative, the Law is there to protect all of us."
House Committee on the Judiciary, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member - Ranking Member Raskin’s Statement on Trump’s Retaliation Against Law Firm that Aided Jack Smith - February 26, 2025
“These are the tactics of autocrats and dictators in authoritarian countries. They are intolerable for a leader of our great democracy. The Judiciary Democrats unequivocally rebuke this scandalous turn of events and urge our colleagues across the aisle to find the courage to do the same.”
American Bar Association, William R. Bay - The ABA rejects efforts to undermine the courts and the legal profession - March 3, 2025
"We reject efforts to undermine the courts and the profession. We will not stay silent in the face of efforts to remake the legal profession into something that rewards those who agree with the government and punishes those who do not."
Society for the Rule of Law - Statement on the Targeting of Law Firms - March 7, 2025
"Politicized use of government power ultimately threatens all of us and undermines the foundations of a free society."
Tonkon Torp LLP, Anna Sortum, Managing Board Member - Portland attorneys react to Trump's attempt to punish Perkins Coie - March 7, 2025
"The order sent a ripple through the legal community, with many assuming it was meant to have a chilling effect on lawyers and law firm representation. I suspect the order will have the opposite effect. The Constitution protects the ability of lawyers to represent all manner of clients and causes and enshrines access to justice. Politically targeted actions against lawyers and law firms like the recent executive order on Perkins Coie undermine our legal system. The U.S. system of law relies upon lawyers to represent all sides of any given issue, even unpopular ones. I can only speak for Tonkon Torp, which supports Perkins Coie and will not change its approach to case evaluation as a result of this order."
D'Amore Law Group, Tom D'Amore - Portland attorneys react to Trump's attempt to punish Perkins Coie - March 7, 2025
"Lawyers they need to be free to represent their clients without fear of government retaliation."
Norman Williams, Constitution law professor, Director, Center for Constitutional Government at Willamette University - Portland attorneys react to Trump's attempt to punish Perkins Coie - March 7, 2025
"It really is unprecedented in terms of how past presidents have refrained from punishing law firms whose clients are adverse to the government or the president."
Stoll Berne, Tim DeJong - Portland attorneys react to Trump's attempt to punish Perkins Coie - March 7, 2025
"I would never expect to see something like this happen in America. It is fundamental to our legal system that we be free to hire the lawyers we choose to represent us and that lawyers not face political retribution for serving their clients. I think it is highly unlikely that these types of threats will succeed in scaring lawyers out of representing the clients and causes they choose to represent."
Markowitz Herbold PC - Portland attorneys react to Trump's attempt to punish Perkins Coie - March 7, 2025
"We stand with our colleagues in the legal community in rejecting politically motivated retaliation against lawyers and law firms."
American Constitution Society - ACS Condemns Executive Orders, Calls on Legal Profession to Defend Those Targeted by Administration - March 10, 2025
"We will not be intimidated."
State Attorney Generals - 21 signatory - Amicus Curiae Brief Supporting Plaintiff's Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (Perkins Coie) - March 12, 2025
"In this case, however, the President has opted to take a different approach and attack lawyers not for their conduct but for their speech."
Electronic Frontier Foundation - EFF - EFF Stands with Perkins Coie and the Rule of Law - March 12, 2025
"The Executive Order, if enforced, would upend that system and set an appalling precedent: Law firms that represent clients adverse to a given administration can and will be punished for doing their jobs.
This is a fundamental abuse of executive power."
Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers - Statement by the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers On Executive Orders Against Particular Law Firms - March 14, 2025
"APRL encourages all members of the legal profession and the organized bar to speak up loudly against these unprecedented attacks on the profession. It is incumbent on lawyers to fervently protect the attorney-client relationship, the freedom of lawyers to represent clients disfavored by others, and the right of clients to employ lawyers of their choice."
Legal Defense Fund, Janai Nelson - LDF Condemns President Trump’s Dangerous and Overtly Political Speech at Department of Justice and Ongoing Attack on the Legal Profession - March 18, 2025
"His remarks weren’t just reckless – they were dangerous. Personal attacks on social justice lawyers set an alarming precedent, creating a chilling effect designed to stifle opposition and silence those who challenge abuses of power."
18 international associations/organizations - Recent targeting of legal professionals by the US Government, Joint Statement - March 18, 2025
"The US actions against ICC [International Criminal Court] personnel for carrying out their legal professional responsibilities constitute a violation of international human rights law and guarantees against interference with the legal profession. The sanctions also have a chilling effect - threatening to undermine access to justice for victims of the most serious crimes under international law."
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association - NAPABA - NAPABA Condemns Executive Orders Undermining the Legal Profession - March 20, 2025
"When attorneys are unable to represent their clients free from intimidation and threats, our profession and justice system are jeopardized."
American Immigration Lawyers Association - AILA, Kelli Stump, President and Ben Johnson, Executive Director - AILA Rejects Administration’s Dangerous Threats on Immigration Attorneys - March 22, 2025
"This is not just about immigration lawyers; this is about the integrity of our legal system and the principles of due process and equal protection under the law. AILA and its members will not be intimidated. We took an oath as attorneys, and political pressures will not dissuade us from that sworn duty to the constitution.”
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law - Nearly Two Dozen Leading Civil Rights Groups Condemn Trump Administration Memo Threatening Lawyers and Law Firms That Bring Suits Against the Federal Government - March 22, 2025
"...is a dangerous tactic seeking to prevent the legal system from operating as an independent check on government authority. These actions place the continuing viability of our democracy at risk and should alarm the public."
Kwall Barack Nadeau PLLC - Statement from Ryan Barack in Response to Trump Administration Attack on the Rule of Law - March 22, 2025
"Our democracy depends on lawyers willing to speak truth to power."
American Civil Liberties Union - ACLU, Cecellia Wang, National Legal Director - ACLU Reacts to President Trump’s Latest Directive Threatening Lawyers and Law Firms - March 22, 2025
"This action by the President of the United States is a chilling and unprecedented attack on the foundations of liberty and democracy. Good lawyers, regardless of ideology or party, will remain undeterred in the honorable pursuit of our profession."
Democracy Forward, Skye Perryman, President & CEO - Democracy Forward Issues Statement Regarding President Trump’s Targeting of Lawyers and Legal Profession - March 22, 2025
"We are in solidarity with all who respect the rule of law and those sworn to uphold it. We will not allow intimidating tactics in or outside the courtroom to deter our work, abridge our solidarity, or undermine the purpose of our profession."
PEN America, Hadar Harris, Washington, D.C. managing director - Lawyers and Courts Must Not Back Down as President Trump Issues Executive Order Calling for Sanctions and Investigations of Attorneys and Law Firms - March 22, 2025
"It is an example of both preemptively and retroactively using raw executive power and some of the powerful levers of government in an attempt to undermine all who would stand against the president and his personal and political agendas— or who are perceived to have done so over the course of the past two administrations."
Center for Reproductive Rights, Nancy Northup - Press Release - March 23, 2025
“The President’s latest assault on lawyers threatens the fundamental rights of every person in America."
Selendy Gay - Selendy Gay Supports the Rule of Law - March 23, 2025
"We are proud of the great history of respect for the rule of law in this country and believe that the freedom and prosperity that have resulted from the separation of powers at the foundation of this republic are worth defending."
Albert Sellars LLP - Statement of Albert Sellars LLP on Trump's Executive Order "Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court - March 23, 2025
"Fuck that fascist nonsense."
New York City Bar Association - In Defense of the Rule of Law and the Independence of the Legal Profession - March 24, 2025 - over 50 signatory associations/organizations
"Attempts to intimidate or penalize lawyers for representing clients whose interests do not align with those of the government are antithetical to our democracy, violate the rule of law, chill attorneys from fulfilling their ethical and professional obligations, and undermine our system of justice."
New York City Bar Association - Statement on the March 22, 2025 White House Memorandum on “Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court” - March 24, 2025
"We pledge to stand with lawyers who defend those rights in accordance with their ethical obligations. We will continue to defend the role of lawyers in a free and democratic society, particularly where legal representation involves challenging the actions of those in power. No less than the future of our legal system is at stake."
Adam Cohen, Cohen & Siegel, PLLC - BlueSky post - March 24, 2025
"We have always defended the Constitution. And we will forever defend the Constitution. We do not cower before tyrants. And we always will fight injustice-even when perpetrated; no, especially when perpetrated-at the highest levels of government."
American Civil Liberties Union - ACLU, Cecellia Wang, National Legal Director - ACLU Reacts to President Trump’s Executive Order Targeting Jenner & Block- March 25, 2025
"This is part of a larger effort to knock out the pillars of a free society—journalists, universities, the legal profession and the courts."
Tucker Law Group - Tucker Law Group Condemns Executive Order Targeting the Legal Profession - March 25, 2025
"This is a defining moment. We will not yield, we will not be silent, and we will not stop defending the rule of law. We will agitate."
Over 100 bar associations/organizations - Bar organizations’ statement in support of the rule of law - March 26, 2025
"If lawyers do not speak, who will speak for our judges? Who will protect our bedrock of justice? If we do not speak now, when will we speak? Now is the time. That is why we stand together with the ABA in support of the rule of law."
79 Law School Deans speaking as themselves - Message of support - March 26, 2025
"Punishing lawyers for their representation and advocacy violates the First Amendment and undermines the Sixth Amendment."
Wyoming State Bar - over 100 attorneys signatory - The Rule of Law Matters - March 26, 2025
“Silence in the face of such threats from those with a duty to uphold the Constitution will be properly seen as complicity.”
Lex Lumina LLP - Lex Lumina’s Statement on the President’s Executive Orders Targeting Law Firms - March 27, 2025
"In this extraordinary moment in U.S. history, lawyers and the courts are essential to safeguarding individual rights and preventing complete authoritarian control of our government."
State Attorney Generals - 21 signatory - An Open Letter to the Legal Community Regarding the President’s Attacks on the Legal Profession and the Federal Judiciary - March 28, 2025
"We will not sit by silently in the face of attempts to attack and intimidate the federal judiciary. We will not allow the rule of law to be undermined."
Harvard Law School faculty - 96 signatory - A Letter to Harvard Law School Students - March 29, 2025
"But we share, and take seriously, a commitment to the rule of law: for people to be equal before it, and for its administration to be impartial. That commitment is foundational to the whole legal profession, and to the special role that lawyers play in our society."
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell - Open Letter to the Legal Community - March 30, 2025
"We will not allow anyone, including the President, to bully law firms for doing their job."
UCLA Law School Faculty - 108 signatory - A Letter to UCLA Law Students - March 31, 2025
"Reasonable people may disagree about how to characterize particular incidents in the news, but we are all gravely worried that the rule of law is under severe threat. We strongly condemn efforts to undermine these basic legal norms."
New York City Bar Association - The New York City Bar Association Supports the Jenner and WilmerHale Lawsuits - April 2, 2025
"Lawyers are free to represent clients regardless of their political affiliations or religious or moral beliefs, and regardless of the legality or alleged illegality of the clients’ actions."
Law Professor Letter in Support of NW/Professor Bedi - 1007 signatory - April 2, 2025
"Nothing in the Education Committee letter alleges that Professor Bedi, the Bluhm Legal Clinic, or Northwestern University have acted unlawfully or unethically. The letter instead rests on innuendo and threatens constitutionally protected legal advocacy."
Harvard Law School Alumni - over 400 signatory - Harvard Law: Condemn Attacks on Lawyers - April 2, 2025
"We believe Harvard Law School as an institution must raise its voice in support of these principles and in denouncing the Executive Orders."
American Civil Liberties Union - ACLU - 11 legal organizations signatory - Legal Organizations Across Ideologies File Amicus Brief Urging Court to Enjoin Executive Order Targeting Perkins Coie - April 2, 2025
“President Trump has issued unconstitutional fiats to chill the legal profession from taking on causes and clients the president dislikes.”
Stanford Law School Professors - Brief of Amici Curiae 363 Law Law Professors in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment and for Declaratory and Permanent Injunctive Relief - April 3, 2025
"The challenged Order names only one law firm, but in so doing, it dangles a Sword of Damocles over all those who refuse to place loyalty to the President above the interests of their clients and the law. It seeks to destroy a functional bar that ensures the government follows the law, substituting instead a bar that is, at best, reluctant to challenge the government, and, at worst, one that is a plaything of the party in power."
Faculty of Georgetown Law - 91 signatory - To the Students of Georgetown Law - April 3, 2025
"Each of us brings different, sometimes irreconcilable perspectives, to what the law is and should be. Diverse viewpoints are a credit to our school. But we share, and take seriously, a commitment to the rule of law: for people to be equal before it, and for its administration to be impartial."
Faculty of Virginia School of Law - 67 signatory - Letter to Students - April 3, 2025
"Partisans often defend norm-breaking by saying the other side did it first. In our view, the current scale of norm-breaking and even law-breaking is unusual and troubling."
Former Presidents of District of Columbia Bar - 20 signatory - Brief of Former Presidents of the District of Columbia Bar as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff - April 3, 2025
"But when the integrity of the American legal system is at stake, any such man, even the President, must be told that he has gone too far."
Munger, Tolles & Olson - Munger, Tolles & Olson and Eimer Stahl File Amicus Brief on Behalf of More Than 500 Law Firms - April 4, 2025 - Amicus Brief (Perkins Coie)
"History offers indelible reminders of the perils associated with governmental intrusion into the autonomy of the legal system and with political retribution aimed at lawyers thought to stand in the way of a regime’s political objectives."
In House General Counsels - 402 signatory - In-House Legal Leaders Encourage Law Firm Action - April 6, 2025
"We oppose the targeting of lawyers and firms, and the resulting chilling effects on the legal profession and the business environment."
Legal Defense Fund - LDF Files Amicus Brief Defending Against Trump Administration’s Targeting of the Legal Profession - April 7, 2025 - Amicus Brief
"These efforts to subvert basic checks on executive power are unprecedented at the federal level. Our history speaks clearly to the stakes of this kind of anti-constitutional bullying—and we ignore them at our peril."
New York City Bar Association - Bar Associations File Amicus Brief in Support of Perkins Coie - April 8, 2025 - 16 bar associations signatory to the Amicus Brief
"Undermining the bar’s independence has historically been a key step on the road to authoritarianism."
27 former national security officials - Brief of Former Senior Government Officials as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment and for Declaratory and Permanent Injunctive Relief - April 8, 2025
"Amici submit that there is no general national security power or statute that empowers the President to sanction U.S. citizens simply because they disagree with him. The national security policymakers among Amici would never have recommended that such an Order be imposed. If asked, the national security lawyers among Amici would have advised their clients that such an unprecedented executive order is illegal, because it was issued without colorable legal authority and in violation of the separation of powers."
First Amendment Coalition - Amicus Brief on Behalf of Sixty-One Media Organizations and Press Freedom Advocates in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment - April 9, 2025
"Given the depth of animus this administration has expressed for media organizations, such a campaign does not seem impossible. Any press organization that caught the executive’s eye would face the same choice as a law firm: give up or give in. Either way, the media organization could no longer fulfill its role as a check on the government and a proxy for the people."
Adam Unikowsky, Partner at Jenner & Block, writing in a personal capacity - The case for suing - April 10, 2025
"I will always bet on the success of the American justice system, and I hope other law firms do the same."
Stanford Law School Faculty - Brief of Amici Curiae 676 Law Professors in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment and for Declaratory and Permanent Injunctive Relief (Jenner & Block) - April 10, 2025
"The Order is a blatant attempt to hamstring attorneys’ ability to zealously represent clients—and, particularly, clients who seek to challenge the Executive’s authority."
Stanford Law School Faculty - Brief of Amici Curiae 676 Law Professors in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment (WilmerHale), Amicus Brief in Support of WilmerHale, Amicus Brief in Support of Susman Godfrey - April 10, 2025
"The President’s Order is a self-declared act of retribution that targets a law firm for representing clients and causes the President disfavors."
Stanford Law School Faculty - Brief of Amici Curiae 775 Law Professors in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment and for Declaratory and Permanent Injunctive Relief (Susman Godfrey) - April 10, 2025
"Under the specter of the Order, any firm that has, or hopes to, retain clients who contract with the federal government will have to shape its practice to meet the whims of the President"
Former Attorney General Eric Holder - Rachel Maddow/MSNBC interview - April 10, 2025
"Unless we as lawyers stand up...we will lose that which defines this nation, that which makes this nation exceptional."
New York City Bar Association - Bar Associations File Amicus Briefs in Support of Jenner & Block and WilmerHale - April 11, 2025 - 15 bar associations signatory to the Jenner & Block Amicus Brief and the WIlmerHale Amicus Brief
"Coercing lawyers to replace their loyalty to clients with loyalty to the President would deprive clients of effective and ethical legal representation."
American Civil Liberties Union - Legal Organizations Across Ideologies File Amicus Briefs in Support of Jenner & Block, WilmerHale Law Firms - April 11, 2025 - 11 organizations signatory to the WilmerHale Amicus Brief
"The Framers conceived of the courts as an 'impenetrable bulwark against every assumption of power in the Legislative or Executive.'"
Institute for Constitutional Advocacy & Protection - Brief of Legal Ethics Professors as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff (Jenner & Block) - April 11, 2025
"In addition to the consequences for individual lawyers and law firms, the President’s practice of targeting lawyers who represent clients or causes he does not like will, if left unchecked, chip away at the foundations of the American legal system."
Institute for Constitutional Advocacy & Protection - Brief of Legal Ethics Professors as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff (Wilmer/Hale) - April 11, 2025
"These ethical issues will persist as long as the executive orders are enforceable: however a firm responds to the administration’s demands, the President can always declare a firm noncompliant and impose further sanctions."
Munger, Tolles & Olson - Munger, Tolles & Olson and Eimer Stahl File Amicus Brief on Behalf of More Than 800 Law Firms - April 11, 2025 - Amicus Brief (Jenner & Block)
"Until now, it would have been inconceivable that a law firm would risk punitive retribution from the federal government for undertaking representations of this kind."
Munger, Tolles & Olson - Munger, Tolles & Olson and Eimer Stahl File Amicus Brief on Behalf of More Than 800 Law Firms - April 11, 2025 - Amicus Brief (Wilmer/Hale)
"We therefore feel a special responsibility to stand up now to the unprecedented threat posed by the Executive Order at issue in this case and the others like it."
State Attorney Generals - 21 signatory - Amicus Curiae Brief In Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment (Jenner & Block) - April 11, 2025
"The Order discards this longstanding practice. Its retaliatory nature breaks with centuries of precedent by explicitly punishing Jenner for representing certain disfavored groups, including immigrants, political opponents of the President, and transgender individuals."
State Attorney Generals - 21 signatory - Amicus Curiae Brief Supporting Plaintiff's Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (Wilmer/Hale) - April 11, 2025
"The net result is a powerful disincentive for lawyers to champion controversial causes or causes disfavored by the Administration."
Berin Szóka - Resigning Latham Alumni Network - April 11, 2025
"But I can no longer associate with a firm that is willing to essentially pay protection money to Trump and to collaborate in his attacks on our democracy and legal system."
New York County Lawyers Association - Trump’s Executive Order Against Susman Godfrey L.L.P. Based on Firm’s Clients Continues to Challenge Fundamental Constitutional Rights - April 17, 2025
"By seeking to intimidate lawyers for persons the President disapproves, the President’s actions threaten our most basic liberties and Constitutional rights."
Faculty at American University's Washington College of Law in their individual capacities - 63 signatory - Letter to Students - April 17, 2025
"We hail the many individuals and organizations courageous enough to speak out against the broad pattern of threats to the rule of law that bombard us."
Faculty at New York University School of Law in their individual capacities - 70 signatory - Letter to The New York University School of Law Community - April 17, 2025
"An independent judiciary is essential to the preservation of the rule of law and our most basic constitutional rights."
People's Parity Project - Law Student Firm Pledge - April 22, 2025 - approximately 90 signatories on April 25, 2025
"We, the undersigned law students, refuse to work for any firm that gives in to Trump administration demands regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion or the types of cases handled by the firm...Our democracy is at stake, and we refuse to be complicit."
"The Executive Order eviscerates the client’s right to a lawyer whose fidelity is undivided, runs roughshod over the Fifth and Sixth Amendments, and revives precisely the system of abuse of centralized power which the Founders rejected."
Law Firm Partners United Inc. - over 100 signatory - Brief of Amicus Curiae Law Firm Partners United Inc. in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment (Susman Godfrey) - April 25, 2025
"Stated plainly, a party has the right to disagree with the government and to use lawyers in court to have their grievances heard fairly and impartially. The Executive Order impairs this basic right fundamental to our system of government and interfere with the checks and balances our Constitution holds so dear."
Emory University Law Faculty - The Emory University School of Law Community - April 28, 2025 - 32 signatory
"In particular, we are deeply concerned by the current presidential administration's series of actions targeting individuals and organizations--including lawyers, law firms, legal organizations, educational institutions, student, and judges--for retribution for engaging in constitutionally protected conduct."
Vanita Gupta and Peter Keisler - Opinion in The Hill entitled Law firms can’t buy their way out of Trump’s threats — and they shouldn’t try - April 29, 2025
"At stake is not just the reputation of a handful of law firms, but the integrity of the legal system itself."
Letters of Disappointment
Paul Weiss alumi letter - March 24, 2025 - 141 signatures
"Instead of a ringing defense of the values of democracy, we witnessed a craven surrender to, and thus complicity in, what is perhaps the gravest threat to the independence of the legal profession since at least the days of Senator Joseph McCarthy."
Amy RIfkind, Nina Rifkind, granddaughters of Simon Rifkind, former partner of Paul Weiss - Read the Letter to the Chairman of Paul Weiss - March 27, 2025
"In 1954, our grandfather wrote, 'Every American generation has inherited from its predecessor the memory of freedom, of liberty, an of constitutional government; but every generation if it would retain these prizes of our civilization, must reacquire them in its own lifetime. This day when the winds are full of doctrines subversive of the Constitution, inimical to our liberties, is the time to redevelop muscle and determination to defend them. In their defense, we shall survive.'"
Skadden Arp Alumni - Letter - April 3, 2025 - 83 signatory
"Not only did Skadden’s decision leave a painful stain on Joe’s legacy and Skadden’s reputation, but your decision also sent the country down an extremely dangerous path. During our tenure, we told clients we’d walk through walls for them. It is incredibly disappointing the firm won't do the same for the Constitution."
Tyler J. Hagenbuch - LinkedIn Post - April 11, 2025
"In February 2009, as a 2L at Vanderbilt University Law School, I won a Diversity Scholar award from Latham & Watkins. Today, according to the EEOC, Latham agreed to “disavow DEI” at the behest of the President. With that disavowal, Latham betrays its associates one of the greatest gifts I received in my career..."
Over 500 Allen, Overy, Shearman, Sterling LLP associates, counsel, and staff - Associates Beg A&O Shearman Not To Be The Next Collaborator - April 11, 2025
"However, we firmly believe that agreements of this nature contribute to the degradation of the rule of law in the United States."
"Stand Up Stan" anonymous partner at a BigLaw firm - Thing Are Not Normal email - April 11, 2025
"Notwithstanding the firm’s good faith efforts in responding to this crisis, I personally believe that the firm should have taken the additional step by signing the brief."
Senator Chris Van Hollen - BlueSky Post - April 12, 2025
"Firms that are buckling to Trump’s bullying are paving a short road to tyranny."
Rich Davis, Partner at Paul Hastings - LinkedIn Post - April 13, 2025
"When faced with a moment - the biggest moment - that demanded courage and integrity, they failed. They failed themselves, they failed the many fine lawyers in their firms, they failed the legal profession and they failed the American people. They failed because they value their profits, and the business of law, more than they value the rule of law. I hope the rest of us will do better."
National Employment Lawyers Association, NY Affiliate - NELA/NY - Open Letter to Brad Karp, Esq. of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (Paul Weiss) - On April 17, 2025, over thirty attorneys/firms were signatory.
"It cannot be the case that your rafts of Ivy educated lawyers are unaware of the blatant invasion of First Amendment rights that you and other firms were, and will continue to be, the target of."
The State Bar of California - Statement on Recent Executive Actions Threatening the Availability of Legal Counsel and the Rule of Law - May 9, 2025
"Such actions directly imperil the ability of lawyers at these firms to competently represent their clients, and have a chilling effect on the availability of competent legal counsel to represent clients unpopular with the Administration. This effect may be particularly harmful for those who lack economic means and rely on pro bono representation to access legal services."
George Washington University Law School faculty - A Letter to the Students of George Washington University Law School - May 12, 2025 - 70 signatory
"As lawyers and law professors dedicated to upholding the Constitution, we join together to 'summon the best that is within us while there is still time.' We express our commitment to: the rule of law, the fundamental principles that have guided our country for almost 250 years, academic freedom, and the important role that lawyers and law professors play in protecting each of these."
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