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Lawyers and Democratic Decline
Studying the roles of lawyers in the decline of democracy.
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National

Top Lawyer Launches Firm to Defend Officials Targeted by Trump Administration

Posted on May 2, 2025

On May 2, 2025, prominent attorney Abbe Lowell—known for representing Hunter Biden—announced the launch of Lowell & Associates, a new law firm dedicated to defending former government officials and institutions facing politically motivated investigations under …

Posted in Lawyers Against Democratic DeclineTagged NationalLeave a comment

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

Posted on May 1, 2025

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 …

Posted in Lawyers Against Democratic DeclineTagged NationalLeave a comment

US judge arrested after allegedly obstructing immigration agents

Posted on April 28, 2025

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 …

Posted in Judges: Targets and ResistanceTagged NationalLeave a comment

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

Posted on April 24, 2025

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 …

Posted in Lawyers Against Democratic Decline, NewsTagged NationalLeave a comment

Interview with Scott Cummings (UCLA): Where are the lawyers while Trump attacks democratic institutions?

Posted on April 24, 2025

In a conversation with Amsterdam Law School, Professor Scott Cummings (UCLA) warns that the United States is undergoing severe democratic backsliding during Donald Trump’s second term. According to Cummings, Trump is systematically attacking independent institutions …

Posted in Attacks Against Legal Profession, NewsTagged NationalLeave a comment

US Justice Dept bars its attorneys from participating in American Bar Association events

Posted on April 9, 2025

On April 9, the U.S. Department of Justice, under the Trump administration, announced it will no longer allow its attorneys to attend or speak at events hosted by the American Bar Association (ABA). In a …

Posted in Lawyers Facilitating Democratic Decline, NewsTagged National, News

Capitulate or resist? Trump threats spur different responses, and alarm for democracy

Posted on April 8, 2025

UC Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky led an effort urging law school deans to condemn President Trump’s use of government power to retaliate against law firms, warning it threatens democratic principles and chills dissent. While …

Posted in Lawyers Facilitating Democratic Decline, NewsTagged Lawyers against democratic decline, National, News

An attack on the Constitution? Why Trump’s moves to punish law firms are causing alarm

Posted on April 5, 2025

President Trump’s recent wave of executive orders targeting major law firms—beginning with Perkins Coie and followed by Paul Weiss, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale—has alarmed the legal community, raising fears of political retribution for representing …

Posted in Attacks Against Legal Profession, NewsTagged Attacks Against Legal Profession, National, News

Big Law launches a trickle of resistance against Trump’s crackdown

Posted on April 4, 2025

More than 500 law firms have signed an amicus brief supporting Perkins Coie in its legal challenge against a series of retaliatory executive orders issued by President Trump, which critics argue threaten the rule of …

Posted in Lawyers Against Democratic Decline, NewsTagged Lawyers against democratic decline, National, News

With New Decree, Trump Seeks to Cow the Legal Profession

Posted on March 22, 2025

In a sweeping move to intimidate the legal profession, President Trump issued a new memorandum threatening sanctions against lawyers and firms who bring lawsuits against his administration, framing them as engaging in “frivolous” or politically …

Posted in Attacks Against Legal Profession, NewsTagged Attacks Against Legal Profession, National, News

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