Law Firms Sue Trump Over Targeted Retaliatory Executive Orders/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Two leading law firms, Jenner & Block and WilmerHale, have filed lawsuits challenging executive orders issued by President Trump targeting their legal practices. The firms allege the orders are unconstitutional retaliation for past representation linked to investigations of Trump. They seek to block enforcement, calling the orders a direct threat to the independence of the legal system.
Jenner & Block and WilmerHale Sue Trump Over Executive Orders Targeting Legal Work Quick Looks
- Jenner & Block and WilmerHale file federal lawsuits against Trump
- Executive orders seek to revoke security clearances, block federal access
- Firms say orders retaliate against lawyers tied to Mueller investigation
- Lawsuits call actions unconstitutional and damaging to rule of law
- Jenner & Block already blocked from DOJ client meeting
- WilmerHale cites direct references to Robert Mueller in executive order
- Perkins Coie won temporary block on similar order earlier
- Paul Weiss struck deal with White House to avoid legal battle
- Trump administration escalates pressure on legal firms tied to past probes
- Lawsuits filed in federal court in Washington, D.C.
Law Firms Sue Trump Over Targeted Retaliatory Executive Orders
Deep Look
Two of the nation’s top law firms, Jenner & Block and WilmerHale, filed lawsuits Friday against the Trump administration, challenging a pair of nearly identical executive orders they claim are unconstitutional acts of political retaliation.
The firms were among several legal groups recently targeted by President Donald Trump through executive orders aimed at restricting their operations due to past associations with attorneys who were involved in investigations of the former and now current president — notably, the Mueller investigation.
Filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., both lawsuits argue the orders are blatantly retaliatory and violate constitutional protections by punishing the firms for the clients they’ve represented and the legal arguments they’ve pursued.
“Our Constitution, top to bottom, forbids attempts by the government to punish citizens and lawyers based on the clients they represent,” wrote Jenner & Block in its complaint.
Security Clearances, Building Access Revoked
The orders, issued earlier this week, suspend security clearances for firm attorneys and bar employees from entering federal buildings, among other restrictions. According to Jenner & Block, the impact has already been felt: the Justice Department informed a client that the firm could not accompany them to a meeting scheduled for next week.
“That client therefore will either need to attend the meeting without outside counsel or would need to retain new outside counsel before April 3,” the firm stated in its complaint.
Targeting Mueller Connections
At the heart of the issue are attorneys who formerly or currently work at these firms and were involved in Robert Mueller’s special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential links to Trump’s campaign.
Jenner & Block had previously employed Andrew Weissmann, a top prosecutor on Mueller’s team, though he left the firm four years ago. WilmerHale’s order explicitly references Mueller himself, along with a retired partner and a current partner who served under him.
“The Order makes no secret of its intent to punish WilmerHale for its past and current representations,” the WilmerHale lawsuit said.
Legal Community Pushes Back
The Trump administration’s executive orders have triggered mixed responses among targeted firms. While Perkins Coie went to court and won a temporary block, Paul Weiss chose to negotiate directly with the White House. Its chairman described the executive order as an “existential crisis” for the firm and said he wasn’t sure the firm could survive a protracted battle with the administration.
This latest wave of lawsuits adds to a growing list of legal battles between independent legal institutions and the executive branch, as the Trump administration continues to test the boundaries of executive authority — especially regarding lawyers perceived as political opponents.
Legal experts warn that the orders could create a chilling effect on legal representation, discouraging lawyers from taking on politically sensitive cases out of fear of retaliation.
The American Bar Association and other legal groups are expected to weigh in, and the outcome of these lawsuits could set critical precedents about the extent to which the executive branch can target legal professionals over their prior work.
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