The BigLaw Trump Lawyers Pushing Back
The opposition mounted by over 500 law firms against Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting law firms was a remarkable show of unity in a profession facing intense criticism for its compliance and genuflection before the President.
The collective action, which culminated in the submission of an amicus brief supporting Perkins Coie’s lawsuit, was orchestrated by Munger Tolles & Olson, with former Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, Jr., leading the charge as counsel for the amici.
The legal pushback began with Perkins Coie filing a lawsuit on March 11, 2025, challenging Trump’s executive order targeting the firm for its diversity-focused hiring practices and its prior representation of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election.
The lawsuit became a rallying point for the broader legal community, includiing law firm associates who objected to the Trump deals, drawing support from firms concerned about the effect such executive orders could have on legal firms and the legal sytem itself.
By April 4, 2025, over 500 law firms had joined forces to sign an amicus brief submitted to U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington.
The brief argued that Trump’s actions posed a “grave threat to constitutional governance and the rule of law,” emphasizing the importance of protecting lawyers’ ability to represent clients freely without fear of government retaliation.
Verrilli’s leadership in drafting and organizing this effort underscored the gravity of the situation, as did contributions from other legal heavyweights like Paul Clement, who represented WilmerHale in its own lawsuit challenging similar executive orders.
Some major players in Big Law like Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins chose not to sign due to concerns about potential retaliation or ongoing negotiations with the administration.
Others like Kamala Harris’s husbands law firm opted for settlements with Trump’s administration, agreeing to provide pro bono services aligned with administration goals rather than facing sanctions.
Ultimately, the organized resistance reflects a defining moment for the legal profession with considerable reprecussions for the law profession generally and a bunch of big law firms in particular.
It’s pretty wild seeing big law firms like Perkins Coie taking a stand against executive orders. Shows how crucial legal battles can be in shaping policy. Hats off to Donald Verrilli, Jr. for leading the charge!
Do you think this sets a precedent for future legal actions against executive decisions? Seems like we’re entering a new era of legal pushbacks.
Precedent or not, it’s just another day in the courtroom. These battles never end, they just change players.
Honestly, doesn’t surprise me Perkins Coie is in the spotlight given their history. But taking on Trump directly? That’s bold. I wonder if they’ve weighed the potential backlash from public and political figures.
It’s interesting that Munger Tolles & Olson orchestrated the collective action. This isn’t their first rodeo in big political legal battles. They’ve got a track record for being on the front lines defending or challenging policy. This move is in line with their historical approach.
This whole scenario feels like a major moment in the ongoing debate over executive power and its limits. It’s essential to have legal check and balances, and it’s heartening to see entities stepping up. Curious to see how this unfolds. Great breakdown by the LawFuel Editors, by the way.