More than 500 law firms on Friday denounced President Donald Trump’s campaign to punish individual firms, calling his actions abuses of power that endanger the rule of law.
The firms said in a court filing thatTrump’s orders are potentially devastating for any firm he targets and appear intended to intimidate others so that they do not challenge his administration. The filing was not signed by any of the 20 largest firms nationwide, as measured by revenue.
“Whatever short-term advantage an administration may gain from exercising power in this way, the rule of law cannot long endure in the climate of fear that such actions create,” the group objecting to Trump’s orders wrote in thefiling.
Trump has issued orders castigating several prominent law firms, citing their connections to some of his perceived foes and directing that they face significant consequences. The punishments have included losing government contracts and being blocked from federal buildings or interacting with government employees, which firms describe as catastrophic for their operations…..
The court filing submitted Friday was signed by hundreds of firms backing Perkins Coie in its lawsuit. The filing — known as an amicus, or friend of the court, brief — appeared to be a show of support from across the legal profession, with signatures from large firms with hundreds of employees as well as smaller, boutique operations. Three firms targeted by Trump — WilmerHale, Jenner & Block and Covington & Burling — were among those that signed.
“We are grateful for the support of over 500 law firms, as well as numerous other amici, in our challenge to the unconstitutional Executive Order and the threat it poses to the rule of law,” Perkins Coie said in a statement….