On May 2, 2025, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell permanently struck down an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump that targeted the law firm Perkins Coie. The order, which revoked security clearances and government access for all Perkins Coie employees, was ruled unconstitutional.
Judge Howell emphasized the unprecedented nature of the order, stating it amounted to an attack on the independence of the legal profession. The decision marks the first permanent block of a Trump executive order aimed at punishing law firms based on their clients or political associations.
Perkins Coie celebrated the ruling, affirming its commitment to constitutional principles like due process and free speech. Meanwhile, other law firms have either challenged similar orders or made concessions to avoid them, raising broader concerns about the politicization of legal advocacy under Trump.