The American Bar Association (ABA) has filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration, accusing it of launching an unconstitutional campaign to intimidate and penalize law firms based on their clients, staff, and policy positions.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in a Washington, D.C., federal court, claims that a series of executive orders issued by the White House unlawfully targeted major law firms and their attorneys, infringing upon the constitutional right to legal representation and undermining the independence of the legal profession.
According to the complaint, the administration used its power “to coerce lawyers and law firms to abandon clients, causes, and policy positions the President does not like.” Among those named in the suit are Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The ABA — the nation’s largest voluntary legal association — described the White House actions as “uniquely destructive,” warning that such efforts threaten the foundational principle of the U.S. legal system: that all individuals and entities are entitled to skilled legal representation.
“Without skilled lawyers to bring and argue cases, the judiciary cannot function as a meaningful check on the executive branch,” the ABA said in a statement.
The suit escalates a months-long legal battle. Four prominent law firms have already sued the administration over the executive orders, which stripped some attorneys of security clearances and barred them from government contracts. Judges in Washington have sided with the firms in all four cases, issuing injunctions that blocked the orders.
Susman Godfrey, one of the firms that successfully challenged the administration in court, is representing the ABA in this latest lawsuit.
The White House swiftly dismissed the lawsuit.
“This is clearly frivolous,” said spokesperson Harrison Fields. “The ABA has no authority over the president’s discretion to determine who receives government contracts or security clearances.”
Despite multiple court defeats, the Trump administration has continued to pressure firms. According to sources familiar with the matter, nine law firms have signed agreements pledging to provide nearly $1 billion in pro bono legal services in exchange for immunity from further executive actions.
The ABA’s lawsuit comes amid mounting tensions between the association and the administration. Earlier this year, the Trump administration slashed federal funding linked to the ABA and moved to reduce its influence in vetting judicial nominees.
In March, Attorney General Bondi warned the group that its status as a law school accreditor could be revoked unless it rescinded a requirement mandating diversity standards for students.
With input from Al Jazeera
