California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 21 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit brought by Susman Godfrey LLP. The firm is seeking to prevent the Trump Administration from taking retaliatory actions against it and its attorneys. The brief aims to defend the rule of law and to call for the court to stop the alleged retaliatory measures.
"Everybody is entitled to legal access and vigorous representation without fear of retribution. The Trump Administration’s political attack on Susman Godfrey based on the clients and ideas they represent is an attempt to silence people who challenge the President. If allowed to continue, this will have an immediate chilling effect on attorneys nationwide, making it harder for lawyers to provide the critical legal services on which our courts and residents depend," stated Attorney General Bonta. "Along with my fellow attorneys general, I proudly stand in support of Susman Godfrey and all other law firms whose free speech rights are being targeted and strongly condemn President Trump’s effort to silence those he disagrees with."
President Trump has issued a number of executive orders over the past two months, imposing sanctions on certain law firms. One such order targeted Susman Godfrey, a firm that has litigated against Fox News for alleged election-related misinformation. The order reportedly removes the firm's active security clearances and ends federal contracts with them and their clients. In response, Susman Godfrey has filed a lawsuit, claiming that the order violates free speech and the right of clients to choose their legal representation.
The attorneys general argue in the brief that the actions taken by the Trump Administration violate the First Amendment by retaliating against Susman Godfrey based on viewpoint discrimination. They emphasize that the judicial system relies on lawyers willing to handle challenging cases and defend unpopular clients without government interference. Efforts to deter this legal representation would, they say, compromise the judicial system across the country.
Attorney General Bonta has openly criticized President Trump’s actions as an "assault on the rule of law." Last month, he and 20 other state attorneys general released a letter urging the legal community to stand up for the rule of law in light of President Trump's actions, which they claim include calls for the impeachment of judges and threats toward law firms and attorneys opposing his administration. Bonta has also filed briefs supporting other law firms facing similar government actions.
In the recent filing, Attorney General Bonta is joined by the attorneys general of Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.
A copy of the brief is available for public access.