Attorney General Kwame Raoul of Illinois has taken a leading role in a joint effort with 21 attorneys general to file two amicus briefs. These briefs support law firms that are challenging executive orders deemed unconstitutional, which impose severe sanctions on firms that have undertaken work disfavored by the Trump administration.
Raoul addressed the issue by stating, "Attacking attorneys because they represented a client in a matter adverse to the government or made arguments disfavored by the government threatens our First Amendment rights, right to counsel principles and the independence of law firms." He emphasized the collective effort, noting, "I join my fellow attorneys general in asking the courts to block these orders and defend lawyers from political retribution. As our states’ top legal officers, we stand with all our colleagues in the legal community, in Illinois and across the country, who stay true to the ideals and values of our profession."
The executive orders issued by President Donald Trump in question include measures such as suspending active security clearances of individuals at targeted law firms, refusing employment with or from them, preventing entry of their personnel into federal buildings, and urging federal contractors to discontinue business with these firms.
The amicus briefs pertain to two notable cases presently being challenged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia: Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP v. Executive Office of the President. Both law firms involved have secured temporary injunctive relief and are advocating for a permanent block of the executive orders against them.
The coalition of attorneys general maintains that the administration's actions constitute a significant abuse of authority that undermines the rule of law. Their argument centers on the necessity for attorneys to engage in controversial cases or represent unpopular clients without the threat of government retaliation. They also express concerns that residents of their states may suffer as it could become more difficult for individuals, especially those dependent on pro bono representation, to obtain legal assistance and assert their rights.
This legal endeavor is spearheaded by Attorney General Raoul alongside New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. The briefs have gathered additional support from the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.