Statement on Recent Assaults on the Rule of Law

As lawyers, we swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. We also undertook a duty “to uphold legal process,” and to “further the public’s… confidence in the rule of law and the justice system,” because “legal institutions in a constitutional democracy depend on popular participation and support to maintain their authority.” ABA Model Rule of Professional Responsibility, Preamble. Those duties are not passive nor merely aspirational, but an affirmative call to action.

In recent weeks, the Trump Administration launched unprecedented attacks on the integrity of judges whose rulings it disagrees with, and singled out for punishment by executive order several law firms that the President perceives represented clients adverse to his personal interests.

We stand with the judges, lawyers, and law firms being unfairly targeted by the Administration under the cover of its purported executive power, as we stand with all those it is unfairly targeting outside the bounds of the legal process. We echo Chief Justice Roberts’ recent reminder of the importance of adhering to our tradition of due process.

Lest silence be mistaken for acquiescence, we are compelled to speak out against these unprecedented attacks. We encourage our colleagues across the bar, and the public, to do the same.

Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP