Executive Branch

Barrett joins liberal dissent questioning SCOTUS venue decision that ends case before judge deemed ‘lunatic’ by Trump

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday lifted a temporary restraining order that banned the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members, ruling that the legal challenge should have been filed in Texas, rather than Washington, D.C.

Apr 8, 2025 11:52 AM CDT

Which firms, legal groups, law profs signed briefs supporting Perkins Coie in challenge to punitive Trump order?

Amicus briefs supporting Perkins Coie are piling up in its challenge to a punitive order against the law firm signed by President Donald Trump.

Apr 8, 2025 8:52 AM CDT

DOJ opposes court-ordered return of immigrant, suspends lawyer who said he shouldn’t have been deported

Updated: The U.S. Department of Justice on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay a federal judge’s order to return an immigrant mistakenly sent to a prison in El Salvador in Central America—a move that followed the department’s decision to place one of its lawyers on indefinite leave, apparently for his admissions in the case.

Apr 7, 2025 2:23 PM CDT

Revoking security clearances includes due process, which is not being followed, says whistleblower lawyer

Whistleblower lawyer Mark Zaid tells the ABA Journal in an interview that his security clearance has recently been revoked by the Trump administration. A registered independent, Zaid says he has never been involved in “a meaningful” way with any political party. “I am strictly a lawyer who represents clients.”

Apr 7, 2025 10:27 AM CDT

Can Trump serve third term? Yale Law prof sees ‘possible loophole’ to 22nd Amendment ban

Can President Donald Trump serve a third term? The 22nd Amendment appears to prevent it. “No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice,” it reads. But could a president serve a third term if he isn’t “elected” to the office?

Apr 3, 2025 3:01 PM CDT

Group formed by Heritage Foundation asks BigLaw firms to provide pro bono help

A group that was “a major antagonist of the Biden administration” is citing President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting major law firms in a letter seeking their pro bono assistance, according to Bloomberg Law.

Apr 3, 2025 11:49 AM CDT

Fourth firm reaches pro bono deal with Trump to avoid potential order punishing its government clients

Milbank is the fourth law firm to reach a settlement with President Donald Trump that calls on the firm to provide pro bono services on issues that they both support.

Apr 3, 2025 10:47 AM CDT

TRO requires US to continue funding immigration court lawyers for children entering country without parent

A federal judge in San Francisco issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday that blocks a cutoff in federal funding for representation in immigration court for minors who enter the United States without a parent or legal guardians.

Apr 2, 2025 12:42 PM CDT

Willkie Farr & Gallagher, home to Kamala Harris’ husband, settles with Trump

Willkie Farr & Gallagher has reached a deal with President Donald Trump to avoid the fate of other BigLaw firms that have been told in executive orders that their clients risk losing their government contracts.

Apr 2, 2025 11:15 AM CDT

DC Circuit allows Trump to fire independent agency board members, for now; are administrative judges at risk?

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Friday allowed President Donald Trump to fire board members of two independent executive branch agencies while a legal challenge continues.

Apr 1, 2025 9:43 AM CDT

1st Circuit refuses to lift block on Trump’s freeze on state grants during challenge

A Rhode Island federal judge’s order requiring President Donald Trump to keep appropriated grant flowing to the states will remain undisturbed during appeal after a federal appeals court declined to issue a stay.

Mar 31, 2025 3:51 PM CDT

Second, third associate quit Skadden after firm reaches settlement to avoid becoming Trump target

Updated: A second and third associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom have left the law firm amid disagreements over its reaction to President Donald Trump’s punitive actions against disfavored firms.

Mar 31, 2025 3:09 PM CDT

Lawyer who once said BigLaw is too woke obtains 1 of 2 TROs granted to large firms suing over Trump orders

Updated: Jenner & Block and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr obtained temporary restraining orders Friday that block parts of President Donald Trump’s executive orders that suspended their lawyers’ security clearances, restricted their access to government buildings, blocked government hiring of their employees and sought reassessment of their clients’ government contracts.

Mar 31, 2025 1:35 PM CDT

Refugee ban can’t be enforced against those who received conditional approval, 9th Circuit says

A federal appeals court on Tuesday allowed the Trump administration to stop approving new refugees for U.S. admission during a legal challenge but said the government can’t keep out refugees who received conditional approval before the resettlement program was halted Jan. 20.

Mar 26, 2025 2:29 PM CDT

ABA, more than 50 bar associations condemn ‘government actions that seek to twist the scales of justice’

More than 50 state, local and specialty bar associations have joined with the ABA to “defend the rule of law and reject efforts to undermine the courts and the legal profession.”

Mar 26, 2025 9:43 AM CDT