Since January 2025, over 250 attorneys—roughly 70%—have left, been reassigned, or accepted deferred resignation offers from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, signaling an unprecedented weakening of the agency responsible for enforcing federal civil rights law. This mass exodus follows the appointment of Trump ally Harmeet Dhillon, who has refocused the division’s priorities …
On May 1, 2025, over 1,500 lawyers gathered at Foley Square in New York City—and thousands more across 50 U.S. cities—as part of the National Law Day of Action to protest President Trump’s attacks on the legal system. Organized by legal professionals, the demonstrations highlighted growing concern over the president’s efforts to undermine the judiciary, …
On May 1, 2025, the Society for the Rule of Law Institute submitted a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee strongly opposing the confirmation of Ed Martin as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Citing his history of extreme rhetoric and ideological advocacy, the Institute warned that Martin lacks the character and competence required …
On May 1, 2025, the National Judicial College (NJC) joined several major judicial organizations in issuing a powerful joint statement defending judicial independence amid escalating threats and political pressure. The statement reaffirms that judges must be free to rule according to the law and Constitution without fear of intimidation or violence, echoing recent comments by …
On Law Day 2025, the American Bar Association warned that the U.S. legal profession is facing growing political pressure and retaliation, echoing patterns seen in authoritarian regimes like Belarus and Poland. Judges and lawyers in the U.S. are increasingly targeted for defending the rule of law, facing firings, disbarments, and public threats. Drawing on lessons …
This document is an amicus brief filed by 777 solo and small firm lawyers in support of Susman Godfrey LLP’s challenge to a 2025 Executive Order issued by President Trump. The brief argues that the order threatens constitutional rights, undermines legal ethics, and endangers the ability of independent lawyers to represent clients—especially those who are politically disfavored. Readers will find a detailed legal argument for why the order should be struck down as unconstitutional.
On April 25, 2025, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by federal agents and charged with obstruction and concealing an individual to avoid arrest. The charges stem from an incident in her courtroom where Judge Dugan allegedly helped a Mexican national evade immigration agents during a scheduled court appearance. The FBI claims Dugan …
In a powerful act of protest, Willkie Farr associate Andrew Silberstein publicly resigned after the firm agreed to a deal with the Trump administration that many viewed as capitulating to political pressure. In his striking resignation letter, Silberstein criticized the firm for compromising its principles and failing to stand up for the rule of law …
More than 700 U.S. law firm partners have filed a court brief supporting Susman Godfrey’s lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order, which targets law firms representing clients opposed to his administration. The executive order restricts access to government buildings and threatens federal contracts, accusing firms like Susman of undermining elections—a claim they deny. The …
Two major U.S. law firms, Perkins Coie and WilmerHale, asked federal judges to permanently block executive orders issued by President Trump that they argue retaliate against them for past legal work opposing Trump and his allies. The firms contend the orders violate constitutional protections and threaten the legal profession’s independence. Although courts have already temporarily …