University of Wisconsin–Madison

Category: Lawyers Against Democratic Decline

Student Amicus Brief Signals Recruitment Troubles for Firms Making Deals With Trump

Over 1,100 law students—30% from top 14 law schools—signed an amicus brief supporting Susman Godfrey’s lawsuit challenging a Trump executive order that threatens its attorneys and clients. The brief signals growing student resistance toward Big Law firms that negotiated with the Trump administration for immunity from the order. Many students are now rethinking summer positions …

Justice department civil rights division loses 70% of lawyers under Trump

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 …

In Suits and Ties, Lawyers Protest Trump’s Attacks on the Legal System

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, …

Letter Opposing the Confirmation of Ed Martin as U.S. Attorney

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 …

Law firm partners back Susman Godfrey in lawsuit over Trump executive order

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 law firms urge judges to permanently block Trump’s executive orders

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 …

Read resignation letter from SDNY prosecutors asked to admit ‘wrongdoing’

On April 23, 2025, three federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York—Celia V. Cohen, Andrew Rohrbach, and Derek Wikstrom—resigned after refusing to admit wrongdoing in the high-profile bribery case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. The Justice Department had suspended the prosecutors and allegedly demanded they express regret as a condition for reinstatement. …

Former Top Government Lawyers Defend Law Firms Targeted by Trump

As Donald Trump escalates efforts to punish law firms involved in cases against him, several former U.S. solicitors general — including Donald Verrilli, Paul Clement, and Elizabeth Prelogar — are stepping in to challenge his executive orders. These orders strip targeted firms of federal contracts and bar their lawyers from interacting with government agencies. Framing …