Our Mission
The Lawyers and Democratic Decline (LADD) project brings together an international community of scholars investigating the role of lawyers in resisting — and at times enabling — authoritarianism in contexts of democratic backsliding. Through collaborative research, comparative analysis, and public events, LADD explores how legal professionals navigate repression, uphold democratic norms, and negotiate their professional identity in times of political crisis.
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News
How the American Legal Profession Can Regain Its Dignity
In this guest essay, former federal judges Shira A. Scheindlin and John Jones III argue that the American legal profession failed a crucial test during the Trump administration by largely acquiescing to government pressure. They …
January 19, 2026
DOJ Prosecutors Resign Over ICE Shooting Investigation
In January 2026, a wave of resignations swept the U.S. Department of Justice following its handling of the fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an ICE officer. At least four senior leaders from …
January 13, 2026
Rights groups condemn ‘unconstitutional’ detention of activist Sarah Bireete
Human rights organizations have condemned the arrest and continued detention of Sarah Bireete, a prominent Ugandan human rights defender, calling it unconstitutional and emblematic of a broader crackdown on civic space ahead of Uganda’s January …
January 7, 2026
38 international rights groups urge Turkey to halt terrorism case against İstanbul Bar leadership
In January 2026, 38 international human rights and legal organizations urged Turkey to drop terrorism charges against the leadership of the Istanbul Bar Association ahead of an expected final court ruling. Prosecutors are seeking prison …
January 7, 2026
Israel’s Supreme Court blocks government attempt to remove attorney general
Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that the government’s effort to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara was unlawful, reinforcing judicial checks on executive power. In a decision issued by a seven-judge panel, the Court held that the …
December 27, 2025- More News
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