Attorney General Phil Weiser joins coalition of states in filing a court brief in support of law firm targeted by Trump
March 12, 2025 (DENVER) – Attorney General Phil today joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general, led by Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown, in filing an amicus brief in support of Perkins Coie, the Seattle law firm targeted by President Donald Trump for representing clients and taking positions disfavored by the president.
The states argue that the president’s March 6 executive order is an attempt “to exclude certain lawyers and certain viewpoints from reaching a court of law at all.” The fact sheet that accompanied the executive order said the White House “will not tolerate” that Perkins Coie “has filed lawsuits against the Trump Administration.”
The law firm employs 71 Coloradans at its local Denver office.
“The executive order targeting the Perkins Coie law firm based on who it represents is a fundamental threat to our free society and the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment,” said Weiser. “This case represents a test of our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, to maintain a legal system that treats everyone fairly, and our ability to continue as a democratic republic. That’s why we are weighing in so strongly to make a stand now—before it is too late.”
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the states’ brief acknowledges that the law firm and state government have been on opposing sides of legal matters. The states believe that regardless of the politics of the day, it is important for clients to be represented effectively, allowing judges, juries and the court system to make fair and reasoned decisions.
By targeting a law firm for doing its job, the President is attempting to silence lawyers. The brief states, “[N]o lawyer should have to fear for their public safety or livelihood for carrying out their ethical duties to vigorously represent their client. Concerns about retaliation may cause some lawyers to be unwilling to take on certain cases or clients altogether.”
Joining Weiser and Brown in filing the briefs are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
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