Leading US law firms Perkins Coie and WilmerHale fight Trump's executive blacklist
WilmerHale headquarters in Washington, DC (Photo: Getty Images)
Two of America's leading law firms, Perkins Coie and WilmerHale, are demanding immediate protection in court from Trump's blacklist, which they consider a threat to the rule of law, reports The New York Times.
Perkins Coie and WilmerHale have turned to a federal court in Washington, seeking to overturn Donald Trump's executive orders that label them a national security risk, effectively banning them from major government contracts and access to federal facilities.
The firms argue that these measures are direct retaliation for their previous legal work and clients whose interests opposed the president.
In court filings, WilmerHale's representatives emphasize: "Blacklisting and sanctioning law firms for representing the president’s political opponents, devoting resources to causes the president dislikes, or hiring attorneys who have investigated the president is anathema to our constitutional order."
The White House insists that these orders are within presidential authority and represent a political stance.
After Perkins Coie and WilmerHale became the first targets of the new orders, many top law firms initially avoided openly supporting their colleagues for fear of similar reprisals.
Nonetheless, later hundreds of firms, law professors, and leading civil rights organizations showed solidarity with the plaintiffs, highlighting the danger of such pressure on the entire legal field.
Professional community support and consequences for the legal system
Temporary court injunctions have already been granted in favor of Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, and other firms challenging the order.
Following this, the Justice Department issued an internal memo stating that the requirement to scrutinize ties with these firms was no longer in effect, though the government maintains that the court's decisions are mistaken.
In a joint brief, professional associations declared: "This order is not only blatantly illegal; it is a naked attempt to instill fear in the legal profession and intimidate lawyers into submission, thereby co-opting the bar to be subservient to the executive branch, undermining the judiciary's ability to check executive power, and striking at the heart of the rule of law."
The plaintiffs are confident that a final court decision in their favor will become a key milestone for safeguarding the independence of the entire US legal system.
Institutions challenge Trump's orders
Notably, this story is unfolding amid a series of high-profile legal battles between the Trump administration and some of the nation's key institutions.
Last week, the state of California filed a lawsuit against the White House over new tariffs that state officials say are dealing a serious blow to the regional economy.
And only days ago, Harvard University went to court to challenge the freeze of federal grants after refusing to comply with the Trump administration's demands.
