The US government appears to have abandoned its effort to enforce executive orders punishing law firms perceived as hostile to President Trump. According to reports from Washington DC, the US Justice Department yesterday dropped efforts to appeal court rulings in favour of four firms that challenged the executive orders. 

The firms, Jenner & Block, Perkins Coie, WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey, had successfully challenged executive orders made by Trump as he took office in his second term. Several other firms struck deals with the administration to avoic being targeted. The executive orders would have suspended security clearances, blocking firms from government work but federal judges last year ruled them unconstitutional. 

President Donald Trump

Trump's campaign against law firms was one reason the US was selected as the focus of international Day of the Endangered Lawyer 

Source: Alamy

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Trump's campaign against law firms acting in cases against his administration was one reason for the US being selected as the focus of this year's international Day of the Endangered Lawyer. 

A spokesperson for Jenner & Block said: 'The government’s decision to withdraw its appeals makes permanent the rulings of four federal judges that the executive orders targeting law firms, including Jenner & Block, were unconstitutional. This chapter has once again confirmed what has been true of Jenner for more than a century –we will always zealously advocate for our clients and put them first, without compromise. Our partnership is proud to have stood firm on behalf of its clients, and we look forward to continuing to serve them – guided by these bedrock values – for many decades to come.'

Mark Evans, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, commented: 'We welcome the US administration’s decision to drop its appeal against the court rulings which found that the executive orders targeted law firms and violated their constitutional rights. Lawyers have come under increasing pressure in the US and globally. We urge all governments to uphold international standards, which prohibit lawyers from being identified with their clients or their clients’ causes.

'We have a shared legal heritage with the US and want to see our members continue to work confidently across borders. Lawyers play a central role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring access to justice for all. They must always be free to serve their clients, justice and society without fear of retaliation.'

 

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