The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is making a call to law firms “to continue their vital work” amid a barrage of Trump administration actions targeting the legal profession and is offering their cooperation.
The Trump administration has rolled out several actions that law firms have argued are designed to have a chilling effect, particularly on those who do pro bono work on issues that might run afoul of the White House.
A March order, for example, threatened sanctions against “vexatious” lawsuits.
That could include the free legal aid provided to immigrants as well as the backing of major law firms who provide pro bono help to non profits challenging Trump policies, including his immigration directives.
In an open letter to law firms, the conference referenced the risks and pressures faced by law firms.
“We write today to underscore our unequivocal support for any legal firm, organization, or individual lawyer that is unconstitutionally targeted by Trump’s Department of Justice. We stand with you because any attacks against you strike at the heart of what makes our nation just and free. As Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, we will continue to challenge these measures in every forum available to us,” the caucus wrote in the letter.
“We understand the risks you face. The pressures are immense, and the stakes are incredibly high. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that courage and solidarity are most essential.”
Congressional entities are limited in the extent they can make direct asks of law firms or provide any legal advice, but they are allowed to coordinate with firms.
One aide for the caucus said there are ways they can be helpful to firms.
“We’ve led several amicus briefs at this point, and I think submitting those friends of the courts is one way that we’ve been showing we are supportive of the legal community’s efforts to fight back on intimidation tactics on the legal profession and for protecting civil rights for communities across the board,” the aide said.
“We’ve been having conversations on oversight needs within some of these jurisdictions.”
Trump has signed several executive orders that target specific firms, threatening to take away lawyers’ security clearances and barring them from entering federal buildings.
While some law firms have signed deals to offer tens of millions in pro-bono work, others have sued, and they’ve largely been successful in convincing judges the orders are a form of retaliation.
Among the caucus’s biggest fears is that targeting by Trump could push firms to turn off the spigot when it comes to their willingness to take cases, pro bono or otherwise.
“It’s a shameful fear mongering tactic that they are employing to deny people their rights, and unfortunately, they’re going after many firms who especially offer pro bono services,” the aide said.
“So with that, we’re hoping that we can tell them this administration is so out of pocket with their threats.”