One-sentence summary: Three prominent attorneys call on the legal profession to defend the Constitution and the rule of law by resisting President Trump’s executive orders targeting law firms that have opposed him.
In this opinion piece, attorneys John W. Keker, Robert A. Van Nest, and Elliot R. Peters condemn a recent executive order issued by President Trump that they argue is designed to punish the law firm Perkins Coie for its past representation of Hillary Clinton and other politically disfavored clients. They assert that the order is blatantly unconstitutional, violating the First, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments, and call attention to a federal judge’s swift action to temporarily block most of it.
The authors explain that Trump’s order against Perkins Coie is part of a broader campaign, as he has issued similar executive orders targeting other prominent firms, such as WilmerHale and Jenner & Block, which have also taken legal action in response. These actions appear to be part of an attempt to intimidate the legal community and discourage representation of clients who challenge Trump.
The authors sharply criticize the decision of Paul, Weiss — a traditionally justice-oriented firm also targeted by one of Trump’s orders — for capitulating rather than resisting. They claim that this response not only undermines the legal profession but also empowers Trump’s broader attack on the legal system. The authors express concern that other firms have hesitated to oppose Trump’s actions due to fear of political and financial retaliation.
They urge the legal community to remember its professional obligations and moral duty to stand up for the rule of law, arguing that in the face of an increasingly autocratic executive, the courts and the lawyers who practice in them may be the last line of defense for American democracy. The authors emphasize that Trump’s attacks on lawyers, judges, and legal institutions reflect a belief in unchecked executive power — a threat they believe the legal profession must confront with unity and courage.
Keker, John W., et al. “Opinion | For God’s Sake, Fellow Lawyers, Stand Up to Trump.” The New York Times, 30 Mar. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/03/30/opinion/perkins-coie-trump.html.
Key takeaways:
- President Trump issued an executive order targeting Perkins Coie, allegedly for its past legal work against him and his interests.
- The order is widely viewed as unconstitutional and has been partially blocked by a federal judge.
- Trump has issued similar orders against other law firms such as WilmerHale and Jenner & Block.
- Some law firms, like Paul, Weiss and reportedly Skadden, have chosen not to resist and instead made concessions.
- The authors call on lawyers and firms to defend the legal profession, constitutional principles, and the rule of law, even at potential personal or financial cost.
- The authors see the legal community as a crucial bulwark against rising autocratic tendencies in the Trump administration.
Most important quotations:
- “It could not have been more blatantly unconstitutional than if a legal scholar had been asked to draft a template for an unlawful executive order.”
- “If lawyers and law firms won’t stand up for the rule of law, who will?”
- “Paul, Weiss’s choice was particularly disappointing because it further empowered Mr. Trump’s attack on our profession.”
- “The common denominator among the president’s recent spate of actions is that he appears to believe he has absolute authority to govern by fiat.”
- “Lawyers and big firms: For God’s sake, stand up for the legal profession, and for the Constitution.”
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