None of the top 20 law firms in the United States have given their “unconditional support” to Perkins Coie’s legal challenge against sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
Organizers of an amicus brief in support of Perkins Coie’s lawsuit are struggling to secure backing from the country’s most influential law firms. According to emails reviewed by the Financial Times, firms are wary of potential retaliation from the Trump administration.
Eric Green, a prominent mediator, has been circulating a draft of the brief while tracking daily responses from firms willing to endorse the document. The brief is being drafted by the Los Angeles-based firm Munger, Tolles & Olson.
An email sent on Saturday by Green’s firm, Resolutions LLC, stated that of the 248 law firms surveyed, 173 had expressed “unconditional support.” However, among the 100 highest-grossing law firms ranked by The American Lawyer, only three have pledged unconditional backing—none of which are from the top 20.
The brief is expected to be filed in the coming days alongside Perkins Coie’s formal court filings challenging the executive order. Munger, Tolles & Olson is attempting to gather additional legal support before the deadline.
Eight firms within the top 100 have indicated conditional support, contingent on participation from peer firms, according to a source involved in the effort. So far, the majority of unequivocal support has come from small and mid-sized law firms.
“The numbers are strong, but the largest firms remain absent,” Green wrote in the email, which also noted that responses would remain anonymous during this phase.
The executive order signed by Trump bans Perkins Coie from federal government work and revokes any security clearances held by the firm. A federal judge in Washington has temporarily blocked the order while Perkins Coie pursues an appeal.
Since issuing sanctions against Perkins Coie, the Trump administration has targeted other major law firms associated with the Democratic Party or those employing investigators who previously scrutinized the former president.
Law firms are grappling with whether to challenge Trump’s measures openly or seek a compromise to minimize business disruptions. Following a similar executive order, Paul, Weiss negotiated a resolution by agreeing to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services, including support for causes Trump endorses. Another major firm, Skadden, pledged $100 million in similar legal assistance to avoid sanctions.
Two firms—WilmerHale and Jenner & Block—have chosen to contest their sanctions in court. A federal judge temporarily blocked their executive orders on Friday.
Perkins Coie and Green did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The three-page draft brief reviewed by Financial Times outlines legal arguments against the constitutionality of the executive orders. It concludes: “Like every lawyer, the members of the amicus law firms have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution… that oath obligates all of us, no matter our political views, to be faithful custodians of our Nation’s commitment to the rule of law… we therefore feel a special responsibility to stand up now to the unprecedented threat posed by the Executive Order.”
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