In response to renewed concerns over executive overreach, a group of veteran attorneys has launched the Washington Litigation Group — a new law firm dedicated to providing free legal representation to individuals and institutions targeted by President Trump’s administration.
The firm’s mission is clear: challenge the erosion of legal norms and defend democratic institutions. One of its lead attorneys, James Pearce, was previously a federal prosecutor who worked on high-profile cases related to the January 6 attack and the handling of classified documents. He was fired shortly after Trump returned to office.
Pearce describes the firm as filling a legal void created by intimidation campaigns against lawyers and law firms. Trump has publicly threatened to revoke contracts and bar firms from federal spaces if they refuse to support his agenda. In contrast, Pearce and his colleagues aim to defend clients without fear or political allegiance, emphasizing that “the rule of law does not defend itself.”
Pearce warns that failure to confront these challenges could lead the U.S. down a path similar to Hungary, where democratic institutions have been hollowed out under executive control. Despite personal risks, he and his team have committed to standing firm in defense of constitutional principles — even if it makes them a target.
Their work signals a broader call to action: in moments of democratic strain, lawyers must not step aside. They must step up.