The law firm Perkins Coie has taken legal action against the Trump administration, filing a lawsuit that accuses the president of unlawful retaliation for the firm’s legal work involving his former opponent, Hillary Clinton.
The suit, which was filed on Tuesday in federal court in Washington, D.C., claims that the executive order signed by President Donald Trump on March 6 violates the firm’s rights and asks the court to block its enforcement.
The lawsuit asserts that the executive order places Perkins Coie’s operations, as well as its ability to serve its clients, in jeopardy. It describes the order as a direct threat to the firm’s livelihood, saying that its ability to continue its legal services business is being severely restricted.
The firm’s lawsuit seeks to have the executive order declared invalid and seeks an injunction to prevent its enforcement.
A spokesperson from the White House declined to comment on the matter. Trump’s executive order instructs federal agencies to review contracts between the government and Perkins Coie, including suspending security clearances for lawyers at the firm.
These clearances allow the firm’s lawyers to access sensitive government information, and the order also mandates that agencies restrict their access to government buildings and officials.
In addition, the order suggests the cancellation of any ongoing contracts Perkins Coie holds with the federal government.
The firm, which is based in Seattle, claims that the order has already caused significant harm. It cites that at least seven clients, including a major government contractor, have removed their legal work from the firm due to the executive order.
This lawsuit is the latest in a growing conflict between the Trump administration and law firms that have been vocal in their opposition to his policies.
In February, a similar executive order was issued against the law firm Covington & Burling, which represents Robert Mueller, the former special counsel who led the investigation into Trump’s campaign ties to Russia.
Perkins Coie, like Covington, has represented a number of clients in litigation challenging Trump administration policies, particularly regarding issues like immigration, transgender rights, and government funding.
Perkins Coie has been a target for conservative criticism, particularly due to its involvement with Fusion GPS, the firm that hired a former British spy to compile a dossier on alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Trump has vehemently denied the dossier’s claims and continues to dispute any connections between his campaign and Russia. The firm has also faced scrutiny over its representation of Michael Sussmann, a former partner who advised Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
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