Perkins Coie Sues Trump Administration Over Executive Order Targeting Its Ability to Represent Clients
On Tuesday, the law firm Perkins Coie filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in an effort to block an executive order signed by President Trump last week. The order has severely hindered the firm’s ability to represent its clients effectively. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., was brought by Williams & Connolly, another prominent Washington law firm known for its expertise in suing the federal government. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for Wednesday. The legal community has expressed significant concerns that other firms may avoid working with Perkins Coie due to fears of retaliation from the Trump administration.
Mr. Trump’s executive order, signed last Thursday, prohibits Perkins Coie’s lawyers from entering federal buildings and discourages federal officials from interacting with the firm’s attorneys. This clampdown on communication has made it nearly impossible for Perkins Coie to advocate for its clients. In its lawsuit, Perkins Coie argues that the executive order is illegal because it oversteps the president’s authority and violates the Constitution’s separation of powers, as well as the First and Fifth Amendments. The firm asserts that the order is not just an attack on its operations but also an assault on the adversarial justice system and the Constitution.
The lawsuit highlights the broader implications of the executive order, stating that it is “an affront to the Constitution and our adversarial system of justice.” Perkins Coie claims that the order’s purpose is to intimidate and bully those who represent viewpoints perceived as opposing the administration, regardless of whether they are representing paying clients or pro bono cases. The firm emphasizes that it cannot allow its clients to be bullied and that the order has already caused significant financial harm and loss of clients. Since the order was signed, government employees have reportedly told Perkins Coie attorneys that they should not or cannot attend scheduled meetings. Additionally, several clients have terminated their legal engagements with the firm or are considering doing so.
The case has been assigned to Judge Beryl Howell of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, who has presided over several high-profile cases involving President Trump since his first term. Judge Howell has a reputation for handling contentious litigation, including matters related to the investigations into Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign and his dealings with Russia. In previous rulings, she has pushed back against Mr. Trump’s expansive view of presidential power, including a recent decision that ruled he did not have the authority to fire members of the National Labor Relations Board at will. She has criticized Mr. Trump’s perception of himself as a “king” or “dictator,” emphasizing that such a view fundamentally misinterprets the role of the president.
Judge Howell has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday afternoon to consider Perkins Coie’s emergency request for a temporary restraining order to block Mr. Trump’s executive order. The hearing comes at a time when concerns about presidential overreach and the erosion of constitutional checks and balances are at the forefront of legal and political debates. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the balance of power in Washington and the ability of law firms to advocate for their clients without fear of political retribution.
This legal battle underscores the challenges faced by law firms and other organizations when they find themselves in the crosshairs of political disputes. Perkins Coie’s lawsuit is not just about protecting its own interests but also about defending the principles of the Constitution and the rule of law. As the case moves forward, the stakes are high—not only for Perkins Coie but for the broader legal community and the justice system as a whole.
