Oregon Joins 20-State Coalition Accusing President Trump of Bullying Lawyers into Silence

The contention of a 20-state Attorney General coalition, including Oregon, is that President Donald Trump is ‘attempting to silence lawyers into compliancy’ after targeting a Seattle law firm for doing its job.

Seattle Law Firm Clients Hold Positions Opposed by the President

Oregon AG Dan Rayfield yesterday joined the coalition, filing an amicus brief supporting the law firm Perkins Coie of Seattle. The firm is representing clients whose positions are opposed by the president.

‘When you allow any administration to target those who disagree with it, we all lose,’ said Rayfield and a Justice Department news release.

The AG said it was alarming that the president ‘is going after law firms’ representing his political rivals.

Rayfield said the stakes were high as Trump’s actions did not align with the fundamental rights of all Americans.

The states argue that the executive order is trying to ‘exclude certain lawyers and certain viewpoints’ from reaching the courts.

The executive order said the White House would not tolerate that Perkins Coie had filed lawsuits against the Trump Administration.

While the coalition’s brief acknowledges that Perkins Coie and state government have been on opposing sides of legal matters, the AGs nevertheless believe that regardless of the politics, ‘it is important for clients to be represented effectively.’,

This will enable judges, juries, and the court system to reach fair and reasoned decisions. The coalition says by targeting a law firm for doing its job the president is ‘attempting to silence lawyers into compliancy.’

Lawyers Should Not Have to Fear for their Safety or Livelihood

The brief says lawyers should not have to fear for their public safety or livelihood to carry out ethical duties by representing their clients.

The coalition believes that concerns about retaliation could cause some lawyers to become reluctant to accept certain cases or clients.

The coalition consists of attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Vermont, and Washington.