Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has aligned with a coalition of 21 attorneys general by filing two amicus briefs in support of law firms challenging executive orders issued under the Trump administration. These orders are criticized for imposing severe sanctions on firms for engaging in disfavored activities.

Nessel expressed her concerns stating, "A functioning democracy depends on a judicial system that operates free from executive interference and without fear of retaliation by the federal government." She further criticized former President Trump for undermining these democratic principles by intimidating legal professionals, adding, "I am proud to stand with my colleagues to support the legal community."

The orders in question, issued by Trump, aimed to retaliate against law firms with advocacy, clients, or personnel he opposed. These directives resulted in suspension of security clearances, prohibition of engagement with the federal government, denial of entry to federal buildings, and threats to terminate contracts with federal agencies.

The briefs were introduced in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in support of two cases: Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP v. Executive Office of the President. Both firms had temporarily halted the orders and seek permanent judicial relief.

Attorney General Nessel and the coalition argue the administration's actions are an abuse of power that endangers the rule of law. They emphasize that a fair judicial system requires lawyers to freely take on controversial cases without fear of government reprisal. Furthermore, they contend the orders may harm state residents by complicating access to legal services, particularly for those who depend on pro bono assistance.

Attorney General Nessel is joined by attorneys general from the following states and regions: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.