This section features curated news articles on the role of lawyers and judges in democratic decline in the U.S. and globally. It highlights how legal professionals are implicated in, impacted by, or push back against authoritarianism and democratic backsliding. Each post includes a brief summary or commentary that connects current events to broader scholarly debates on the legal profession and the defense of democratic norms.
News Regarding Lawyers
Lawyers Against Democratic Decline
Former special counsel Jack Smith warns that rule of law is ‘under attack’
In his first public remarks since leaving the Justice Department, former special counsel Jack Smith cautioned that the rule of law is facing unprecedented threats. Speaking at George Mason University, Smith condemned political interference in …
September 25, 2025
Legal groups resist Trump authoritarian moves with pro bono work
As the Trump administration escalates politically motivated firings, blocks congressionally approved funds, and pressures major law firms, a wave of smaller legal outfits has stepped in to defend democracy and the rule of law. Key …
September 23, 2025
ABA Task Force Calls on Lawyers to Pledge to Protect Democracy and Rule of Law
The American Bar Association’s Task Force for American Democracy has recommended that every U.S. state expand lawyer oaths to include a commitment to upholding democracy and the rule of law. The proposal comes amid declining …
September 10, 2025
The only lawyer in DC willing to take on Trump
Veteran Washington lawyer Abbe Lowell has emerged as one of the only attorneys in Washington willing to take on Donald Trump during his second term, after the president targeted law firms representing immigrants, diversity causes, …
August 29, 2025
Safeguard Constitution: Sridhar Babu to legal fraternity
At the inauguration of the Hyderabad branch of the London-based 52 Gates Law Firm, IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu urged legal professionals to zealously protect India’s Constitution. He emphasized that the egalitarian framework, …
August 25, 2025
Incoming ABA President Michelle Behnke to prioritize defending liberty, pursuing justice
Michelle Behnke, a Wisconsin attorney with Boardman Clark, has become the new president of the American Bar Association (ABA). In her remarks at the ABA Annual Meeting in Toronto, Behnke pledged to strengthen the rule …
August 12, 2025
New Law Firm Forms to Defend Rule of Law Under Trump Administration
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 …
August 6, 2025When Lawyers Speak, America Listens
In a powerful message from ABA President William R. Bay, the American Bar Association reflects on a pivotal choice it made six months ago: to speak out amid rising threats to the rule of law. …
August 6, 2025- Read More
Attacks Against Legal Profession
Trump Fires U.S. Attorney Who Defended Court Limits on Immigration Raids
Michele Beckwith, the acting U.S. attorney in Sacramento, was abruptly fired by President Donald Trump just hours after reminding Border Patrol officials that immigration raids in her district must comply with federal court orders. On …
October 1, 2025
Labour Leaders Warn Against Political Attacks on Judges
At the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, attorney general Richard Hermer KC and justice minister Sarah Sackman condemned recent political attacks on judges as dangerous, intentional, and corrosive to the rule of law. Hermer warned …
September 29, 2025
Tajikistan lawyer wrongfully held for a decade
Buzurgmehr Yorov, one of Tajikistan’s most fearless human rights lawyers, has been unjustly imprisoned for nearly ten years. He is currently serving a 23-year sentence for defending political opposition leaders, in violation of his fundamental …
September 29, 2025
Iranian Lawyer Detained Without Charges for Over Four Months
Abolfazl Ranjbari, a lawyer and writer, has been imprisoned in Tabriz for 138 days without clear charges. Arrested by security forces on May 4, he spent two months under interrogation before being transferred to Tabriz …
September 19, 2025
Lawyer Arrests in Zimbabwe Worry Rights Groups
Two Zimbabwean human rights lawyers, Douglas Coltart and Tapiwa Muchineripi, were arrested after advising police not to interrogate their hospitalized clients—opposition activists who reported being abducted and tortured. Rights groups say the arrests amount to …
September 5, 2025
Belarus Intensifies Crackdown on Human Rights Lawyers
On August 29, 2025, Belarusian authorities escalated their campaign against the legal profession by designating the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers (BAHRL) an “extremist formation.” This move threatens members and associates with up to …
August 29, 2025
How to Solve the Migrant Crisis? End the “Rule of Lawyers”
Maurice Glasman argues that the migrant crisis symbolizes the collapse of the international rules-based order, which placed sovereignty in courts and lawyers rather than in politics and parliaments. This system—built on human rights treaties and …
August 24, 2025
Trump files appeal to revive executive order against law firm Susman Godfrey
On August 22, 2025, former President Donald Trump’s administration filed an appeal to revive an executive order targeting prominent litigation firm Susman Godfrey. The order, previously struck down by U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan, had …
August 22, 2025- Read More
Lawyers Facilitating Democratic Decline
Trump’s $940 Million Law Firm Deals Face Uncertainty
Nearly five months after nine major U.S. law firms struck deals with former President Donald Trump—pledging a collective $940 million in free legal services—the impact remains unclear. Some firms continue to take cases opposing Trump’s …
August 15, 2025
Ugandan opposition seeks to nullify law on military prosecution of civilians
Ugandan opposition seeks to nullify law on military prosecution of civilians – The National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda’s main opposition party, filed a constitutional court case to strike down a new law allowing military tribunals …
August 15, 2025
Twelve Hong Kong activists appeal convictions in landmark ’47 democrats’ case
Twelve pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have appealed their convictions and prison sentences in the landmark “47 democrats” case, which has become a global symbol of Beijing’s crackdown on dissent under the National Security Law. …
July 14, 2025
Trump Judicial Nominee Accused of Urging Defiance of Court Orders
A whistleblower complaint made public this week accuses Emil Bove, President Trump’s nominee to the federal appeals court, of suggesting the Justice Department should ignore court orders blocking the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. Former DOJ …
June 24, 2025
Florida Attorney General Defied Order Blocking Part of Immigration Law, Judge Rules
A federal judge in Miami found Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in contempt of court after he defied an order blocking a controversial state immigration law. Despite a February ruling halting enforcement of the law …
June 17, 2025
Law ≠ Power: How Legal Academia Enabled Trump’s Assault on the Rule of Law
In Persuasion, law professor Rebecca Roiphe argues that decades of critical legal theory have undermined the legal profession’s ability to defend against Trump’s authoritarian legal agenda. Rooted in 1970s-era legal academia, the idea that law …
May 19, 2025
Trump Taps Judge Jeanine For Key DOJ Role After Consulting Evening Cable Lineup
On May 9, 2025, Donald Trump appointed Judge Jeanine Pirro, a former TV personality and county judge, as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, after withdrawing Ed Martin from consideration. Martin, previously …
May 9, 2025
‘Lawfare’ in Spain: the cases against the Sánchez family
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has accused far-right groups and segments of the judiciary of engaging in “lawfare”—using legal mechanisms to pursue politically motivated cases—against his wife and brother. Both are under investigation for …
May 9, 2025- Read More
News Regarding Judges
Targets and Resistance
US hits Brazilian judge’s wife with sanctions as Trump showdown deepens
The Trump administration has escalated tensions with Brazil by sanctioning Viviane Barci de Moraes, wife of Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the criminal case against Jair Bolsonaro. The U.S. also revoked visas …
September 27, 2025
America’s judges are under attack – lawyers have a duty to defend them
Threats against judges are on the rise — with more than 500 reported in the last year alone. From executive branch officials to political commentators, attacks are increasingly aimed at delegitimizing the courts. This escalation …
September 14, 2025
Major changes needed to address bullying and harassment at the Bar, report finds
A major review led by Baroness Harriet Harman has uncovered a “culture of denial” at the Bar in England and Wales, where bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct are widespread and often go unpunished. The 129-page …
September 11, 2025
Afghan Women Judges Left in Peril Without Asylum Support
Since the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan’s female judges and prosecutors have lived under constant threat. Once respected leaders, they are now forced into hiding, facing intimidation, violence, and social erasure. Many cannot seek medical …
September 10, 2025
Judges Attack Supreme Court’s ‘Inexcusable’ Trump Rulings in Unprecedented Outburst
Multiple federal judges, including some appointed by Donald Trump, have openly criticized the U.S. Supreme Court for what they see as its “inexcusable” pattern of siding with the Trump administration by overturning lower court rulings …
September 4, 2025
Court throws out lawsuit by Trump administration against all 15 Maryland federal judges
A federal judge has dismissed the Trump administration’s unusual lawsuit targeting all 15 federal judges in Maryland. The administration had challenged an order by Chief Judge George L. Russell III that temporarily blocks the immediate …
August 26, 2025
Judges: Threatened for ruling against Trump
A surge in threats against federal judges has raised alarms about the safety of the U.S. judiciary and the integrity of democratic institutions. Since Donald Trump’s presidency, intimidation of judges has escalated dramatically, with 162 …
August 19, 2025
Doug Ford’s attacks on judges are an affront to Canadian democracy
Doug Ford has increasingly made judges a political target, treating attacks on them as a routine talking point. At the recent Premiers’ conference, he called judges “weak-kneed” over bail reform, and in the past he …
August 13, 2025- Read More
