Fear of Trump Has Elite Law Firms in Retreat

“Elite law firms formed a proud part of the opposition to the first Trump administration. This time around, the industry is fearful of taking on a president who hasn’t shied away from punishing his enemies,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order directing agencies to strip security clearances, government contracts and federal-building access from a top law firm with Democratic ties, Perkins Coie. It followed a similar, but more narrowly tailored, order late last month against attorneys at Covington & Burling representing former special counsel Jack Smith, who oversaw the investigation and federal prosecutions of Trump.”

“The White House moves have sent a chill through the world of Big Law, at a time when litigation has emerged as one of the few checks on the president.”