Overview

• The ABA filed its lawsuit on June 16 in federal court in Washington, D.C., seeking to bar executive orders that target major law firms.
• The complaint argues that revoking security clearances for firms that sue the White House violates First Amendment rights and separation of powers principles.
• Four separate firms have won preliminary injunctions against the contested orders, while nine others pledged nearly $1 billion in pro bono services to avoid similar measures.
• ABA president William Bay said the Trump administration’s tactics have cast a deep chill over the profession, deterring attorneys from taking on pro bono or government-adverse cases.
• Since Trump took office, the Justice Department has barred its attorneys from ABA events and revoked the group’s access to nonpublic judicial nominee information.