Washington — A federal judge announced on Tuesday her decision to block parts of an executive order issued by the Trump administration that targets the law firm Susman Godfrey. The judge noted that the order likely retaliates against the firm and its clients for exercising their rights to constitutionally protected speech.
U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan granted a temporary restraining order to the firm after a hearing, indicating that Susman Godfrey is likely to prevail on its claims that the executive order, signed by President Trump last week, infringes upon the First and Fifth Amendments. She specifically prohibited the administration from enforcing sections related to federal contracts, limiting access for Susman staff to federal buildings, and restricting their interaction with government personnel.
While delivering her ruling, AliKhan stated that the government “sought to use its immense power to dictate the positions that law firms may or may not take,” which undermines the core principle of legal representation in the U.S. She asserted that the executive order is fueled by a “personal vendetta” against Susman Godfrey.
“The framers of our Constitution would view this as a shocking abuse of power,” AliKhan, serving on the federal district court in Washington, D.C., remarked.
After the hearing, the firm expressed its gratitude to the court for recognizing the unconstitutionality of Trump’s order in a statement.
“This battle extends beyond any single firm. Susman Godfrey is challenging this unconstitutional executive order because it encroaches upon the rights of all Americans and the rule of law. This cause is just, it is right, and we feel obligated to pursue it,” they stated.
Susman Godfrey is the fourth law firm to achieve early success in legal challenges against executive orders issued by Mr. Trump. The recent orders have already placed these firms at risk of sanctions due to their legal work, as well as for attorneys who are currently employed or were previously employed by them.
Susman Godfrey represented Dominion Voting Systems in a defamation lawsuit against Fox News regarding false claims aired about the 2020 election, which Mr. Trump inaccurately asserts was rigged against him. That case concluded with a $787 million settlement prior to trial. The firm is also representing Dominion in a defamation action against Newsmax, a conservative media outlet, with a jury trial set to commence at the end of the month.
During the hearing, Donald Verrilli, representing Susman Godfrey, described Trump’s executive order as “one of the most brazenly unconstitutional exercises of executive power in the history of this nation,” arguing that it “runs roughshod” over the separation of powers.
Verrilli pointed to other law firms that have reached agreements with the White House, likely to avoid being targeted by Mr. Trump, noting that they did so to “remain on the president’s good side.” These nine firms have committed to provide between $40 million and $125 million in pro bono services to causes favored by the president.
“We’re rapidly descending into an abyss,” Verrilli warned. “The only way to halt that descent is for courts to act decisively and do so promptly.”
Besides Susman Godfrey, Mr. Trump has issued executive orders aimed at penalizing the firms Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr. All these firms have filed lawsuits contesting the constitutional validity of the orders, and judges have granted temporary orders to block enforcement of certain aspects while the litigation is ongoing.
