Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown has spearheaded a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting the Seattle law firm Perkins Coie. This action comes after President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 6, criticizing the firm for representing clients and taking positions contrary to his administration.
The states contend that the executive order is designed “to exclude certain lawyers and certain viewpoints from reaching a court of law at all.” According to a fact sheet accompanying the order, the White House expressed its disapproval, stating it "will not tolerate" Perkins Coie's legal actions against the Trump Administration.
Brown commented on the situation, emphasizing that “the American legal system depends on lawyers taking difficult cases and defending unpopular clients.” He described the President's order as an attempt to intimidate Perkins Coie for their choice of cases and clients.
The brief was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. It highlights that although Perkins Coie and state governments have previously been adversaries in legal matters, it remains crucial for all clients to receive effective representation. This allows judges, juries, and courts to make informed decisions based on fairness.
The brief argues against targeting law firms for fulfilling their professional responsibilities, asserting that “[N]o lawyer should have to fear for their public safety or livelihood for carrying out their ethical duties to vigorously represent their client." It warns that fears of retaliation might deter lawyers from accepting certain cases or clients.
In addition to Brown, attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont joined in filing the brief.
For further details about this legal action or other activities by Washington’s Attorney General’s Office visit www.atg.wa.gov.