ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL LEADS COALITION SUPPORTING LAW FIRMS TARGETED FOR RETRIBUTION BY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL LEADS COALITION SUPPORTING LAW FIRMS TARGETED FOR RETRIBUTION BY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

April 03, 2026

Raoul and AGs File Brief Backing Challenge of Unconstitutional Executive Orders that Undermine the Rule of Law

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general today in filing an amicus brief supporting law firms challenging unconstitutional executive orders that imposed severe sanctions on the firms in retaliation for doing work disfavored by the Trump administration.

"Attacking attorneys based on who they represent, who they hire, or because their client may take a position that is not favored by the government threatens our First Amendment rights, right to counsel and the independence of law firms," Raoul said. "I join my fellow attorneys general in asking the court to uphold the rulings blocking these orders. As our states' top legal officers, we stand with all our colleagues in the legal community who stay true to the ideals and values of our profession."

In March and April of 2025, President Donald Trump issued executive orders retaliating against law firms whose advocacy, clients and personnel he dislikes. These orders required federal officials to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at the law firms, to refuse to engage with or hire employees of these firms, and to deny the law firms' personnel entry to federal buildings. The orders also directed federal contractors to disclose any business they do with the law firms so that agencies can terminate any contract with the firms.

Each of the targeted law firms that challenged the executive orders was successful, and now the administration has appealed those decisions. The coalition filed a brief in support of the law firms in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Raoul and the coalition argue that the administration's unconstitutional actions are a gross abuse of authority, threaten the rule of law and violate the First Amendment. They note that a fair and functioning judicial system depends on lawyers being willing to work on controversial cases or represent unpopular clients without fearing retribution by the government. The attorneys general further argue that the orders will harm the residents of their states by making it more difficult for many potential clients - especially those who currently rely on pro bono representation - to obtain legal services and vindicate their rights in court.

The coalition was led by Attorney General Raoul, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. Joining them in filing the brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.