Reuters: “More than 700 lawyers and legal groups representing diverse viewpoints have signed onto a letter urging U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to defend the independence of attorneys and law firms, as the Trump administration escalates attacks on some of the country’s top law offices”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democracy Forward has joined a cross-ideological coalition of lawyers and legal organizations, including conservatives at the Society for the Rule of Law Institute, to write a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging her to reject political attacks on attorneys and law firms. These attacks—many stemming from the Project 2025 playbook—are part of an effort to scare people from exercising their right to access the justice system.
Over 2,000 individuals and organizations have already signed the open letter.
The letter follows President Trump’s recent executive memorandum targeting attorneys who represent clients in actions against the federal government, his public declaration to “go after… a lot of law firms,” and his criticism of the American Bar Association, the nation’s preeminent voluntary association for legal professionals. On Sunday, March 22, Democracy Forward President and CEO Skye Perryman issued a statement in response to the administration’s escalating attacks on the legal community, emphasizing that these attacks “should concern every single American regardless of political or ideological affiliation.”
To schedule an interview with Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward, please email press@democracyforward.org
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Reuters: US conservative, Democratic lawyers urge Bondi to defend lawyers and firms
More than 700 lawyers and legal groups representing diverse viewpoints have signed onto a letter urging U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to defend the independence of attorneys and law firms, as the Trump administration escalates attacks on some of the country’s top law offices.
They said Bondi had a responsibility as the nation’s top government lawyer to oppose attacks on the legal profession and judges. The influence campaign comes a day after the White House targeted a fourth major law firm with an executive order that threatened its business.
“This commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law requires that lawyers be able to operate with independence, without fear of retaliation,” the letter said.
Republican signatories included J. Michael Luttig, a former U.S. appeals court judge; former U.S. Representative Barbara Comstock, a senior advisor at Baker Donelson; Peter Keisler, a former acting U.S. attorney general under President George W. Bush; and Donald Ayer, a former top Justice Department lawyer under President George H.W. Bush.
Democrats who signed the letter included Marc Elias, a longtime lawyer for Democratic politicians whom Trump has criticized, and Norm Eisen, whose group State Democracy Defenders Action is suing the Trump administration in several cases.
The Justice Department had no immediate comment.
The letter was organized by Society for Rule of Law Institute and Democracy Forward, a legal group that is representing clients in ongoing lawsuits against the Trump administration. In one case, the group and the American Civil Liberties Union represent Venezuelan migrants deported by the Trump administration under the Alien Enemies Act.
Democracy Forward president and chief executive Skye Perryman in a statement said the letter showed a “groundswell of energy within the legal profession.”
A group of 20 Democratic state attorneys general and the American Bar Association both warned on Wednesday that Trump’s efforts posed dangers to the legal profession and the courts.
The attorneys general in a letter denounced what they called the “chilling effect” of Trump’s executive orders targeting law firms and calls for impeaching federal judges.
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Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.