Over 500 law firms oppose Trump’s executive order targeting legal representation

In early March 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order affecting Perkins Coie, a law firm known for representing Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. This order aimed to restrict Perkins Coie's access to government contracts, buildings, and security clearances, leading the firm to take legal action against the administration. In response to Trump's executive order, over 500 law firms, led by former Solicitor General Donald Beaton Verrilli Jr., signed an amicus brief supporting Perkins Coie. The brief articulated concerns over the implications of the order not only for Perkins Coie but for the broader legal community, presenting the executive action as a direct threat to constitutional governance and the rule of law. District Court Judge Beryl Howell later temporarily blocked parts of the executive order, particularly those that affected the firm's government contracts and its access to government facilities, maintaining that these restrictions could have detrimental effects on law firms and their clients. Several groups with varying ideological perspectives, including the American Civil Liberties Union, joined the legal community in supporting Perkins Coie's lawsuit. They warned that the executive order, if upheld, could hinder Americans' rights to choose legal representation and could have lasting repercussions on their ability to engage legal counsel. Meanwhile, some major law firms opted to comply with the Trump administration's directives by offering pro bono services in exchange for avoiding further sanctions, highlighting the tense dynamics within the legal profession amid political pressures. This case illustrates the ongoing challenges faced by law firms aligned with Democratic causes and raises significant concerns over executive overreach regarding legal representation and access to justice.