Judge Blocks Ouster of Seven Lawyers from D.C. AG’s Office

A judge in Washington, D.C., has issued a temporary restraining order to block the ouster of seven lawyers from the District of Columbia Attorney General’s office.

Judge Melvin Wright said a collective bargaining agreement requires fired employees to be given notice of poor performance and an opportunity to improve, the Washington Post reports. His ruling comes a day after a different judge blocked the firing of an eighth lawyer from the office.

Interim Attorney General Peter Nickles moved to fire the lawyers last month, saying he plans to run the office as a “first-rate law firm” with “strong, young, able stars.” He also instituted a dress code and began requiring weekly reports about caseloads.

Edited at 9:56 a.m. to correct the phrase "temporary restraining order."