WE NEED LAWYERS TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY
QUICK READ: By terrorizing lawyers who represent clients or causes Trump dislikes, he’s threatening to undermine our entire legal system and our personal right to zealous representation by the attorney of our choice which is protected by the First, Fifth and Sixth Amendments. There can be no independent legal profession if fear of retribution makes lawyers too afraid to represent clients in claims against the federal government or the ruling party. More importantly, there can be no democracy where lawyers are punished and lambasted simply for representing clients opposed to this cruel administration.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
The Constitution created three, co-equal branches of government designed to check and balance the others’ exercises of power. Trump’s already completely subdued the GOP-controlled legislature, content to allow him to seize its power and render it largely irrelevant. While the judicial branch can still check his power, courts do not exist in a vacuum, and they can only act if lawyers bring cases before them. Firms being made to fear his retribution will be less likely to stand in his way.
On February 25 Trump launched a campaign to convince lawyers and law firms that arguing against him in court was impermissible and would cause them and their clients punishment. This campaign, amounting to an illegal shakedown of the legal profession, blatantly violates rights guaranteed to all Americans by the First (freedom of speech and association), Fifth (due process), and Sixth (right to counsel) Amendments.
Securing the surrender or anticipatory obedience of Big Law firms, best positioned to expose executive overreaching or illegality, effectively tells all lawyers—especially the legal clinics and nonprofits that often challenge administration policies with the financial assistance and expertise of these larger firms—that such actions will harm them, their firms, and their clients.
While attacking the independence of lawyers, firms, and the legal profession itself, Trump’s also fundamentally assaulting the rule of law, because his real targets are those who want to vindicate their rights in court—and need lawyers representing them to do so.
This moment in our history requires the legal profession to act courageously and collectively in affirming that everyone is entitled to legal representation without fear of retribution and that no one is above the law.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling on my Member of Congress:
- To reaffirm America’s commitment and dedication to the rule of law and its equitable application to all members of our community;
- To proudly support the many lawyers, law firms, nonprofits, and legal clinics standing up to Trump’s blatantly unconstitutional attempts to silence them;
- To call out the hypocrisy of lawyers at those submissive firms—especially those serving in previous administrations—who are willing to undermine constitutional protections and hasten the demise of our democracy to protect their overly generous compensation;
- To call for Congressional investigations of Trump’s and the DOJ’s unprecedented use of their executive powers to intimidate and silence lawyers and law firms Trump considers his enemies.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling on my Member of Congress:
- To reaffirm America’s commitment and dedication to the rule of law and its equitable application to all members of our community;
- To proudly support the many lawyers, law firms, nonprofits, and legal clinics standing up to Trump’s blatantly unconstitutional attempts to silence them;
- To call out the hypocrisy of lawyers at those submissive firms—especially those serving in previous administrations—who are willing to undermine constitutional protections and hasten the demise of our democracy to protect their overly generous compensation;
- To call for Congressional investigations of Trump’s and the DOJ’s unprecedented use of their executive powers to intimidate and silence lawyers and law firms Trump considers his enemies.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I am calling on my Member of Congress:
- To reaffirm America’s commitment and dedication to the rule of law and its equitable application to all members of our community;
- To proudly support the many lawyers, law firms, nonprofits, and legal clinics standing up to Trump’s blatantly unconstitutional attempts to silence them;
- To call out the hypocrisy of lawyers at those submissive firms—especially those serving in previous administrations—who are willing to undermine constitutional protections and hasten the demise of our democracy to protect their overly generous compensation;
- To call for Congressional investigations of Trump’s and the DOJ’s unprecedented use of their executive powers to intimidate and silence lawyers and law firms Trump considers his enemies.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling on my Member of Congress:
- To reaffirm America’s commitment and dedication to the rule of law and its equitable application to all members of our community;
- To proudly support the many lawyers, law firms, nonprofits, and legal clinics standing up to Trump’s blatantly unconstitutional attempts to silence them;
- To call out the hypocrisy of lawyers at those submissive firms—especially those serving in previous administrations—who are willing to undermine constitutional protections and hasten the demise of our democracy to protect their overly generous compensation;
- To call for Congressional investigations of Trump’s and the DOJ’s unprecedented use of their executive powers to intimidate and silence lawyers and law firms Trump considers his enemies.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling on my Member of Congress:
- To reaffirm America’s commitment and dedication to the rule of law and its equitable application to all members of our community;
- To proudly support the many lawyers, law firms, nonprofits, and legal clinics standing up to Trump’s blatantly unconstitutional attempts to silence them;
- To call out the hypocrisy of lawyers at those submissive firms—especially those serving in previous administrations—who are willing to undermine constitutional protections and hasten the demise of our democracy to protect their overly generous compensation;
- To call for Congressional investigations of Trump’s and the DOJ’s unprecedented use of their executive powers to intimidate and silence lawyers and law firms Trump considers his enemies.
Script for Maxine Dexter (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling on my Member of Congress:
- To reaffirm America’s commitment and dedication to the rule of law and its equitable application to all members of our community;
- To proudly support the many lawyers, law firms, nonprofits, and legal clinics standing up to Trump’s blatantly unconstitutional attempts to silence them;
- To call out the hypocrisy of lawyers at those submissive firms—especially those serving in previous administrations—who are willing to undermine constitutional protections and hasten the demise of our democracy to protect their overly generous compensation;
- To call for Congressional investigations of Trump’s and the DOJ’s unprecedented use of their executive powers to intimidate and silence lawyers and law firms Trump considers his enemies.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling on my Member of Congress:
- To reaffirm America’s commitment and dedication to the rule of law and its equitable application to all members of our community;
- To proudly support the many lawyers, law firms, nonprofits, and legal clinics standing up to Trump’s blatantly unconstitutional attempts to silence them;
- To call out the hypocrisy of lawyers at those submissive firms—especially those serving in previous administrations—who are willing to undermine constitutional protections and hasten the demise of our democracy to protect their overly generous compensation;
- To call for Congressional investigations of Trump’s and the DOJ’s unprecedented use of their executive powers to intimidate and silence lawyers and law firms Trump considers his enemies.
SCRIPT FOR Janelle Bynum (OR-05)
DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling on my Member of Congress:
- To reaffirm America’s commitment and dedication to the rule of law and its equitable application to all members of our community;
- To proudly support the many lawyers, law firms, nonprofits, and legal clinics standing up to Trump’s blatantly unconstitutional attempts to silence them;
- To call out the hypocrisy of lawyers at those submissive firms—especially those serving in previous administrations—who are willing to undermine constitutional protections and hasten the demise of our democracy to protect their overly generous compensation;
- To call for Congressional investigations of Trump’s and the DOJ’s unprecedented use of their executive powers to intimidate and silence lawyers and law firms Trump considers his enemies.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling on my Member of Congress:
- To reaffirm America’s commitment and dedication to the rule of law and its equitable application to all members of our community;
- To proudly support the many lawyers, law firms, nonprofits, and legal clinics standing up to Trump’s blatantly unconstitutional attempts to silence them;
- To call out the hypocrisy of lawyers at those submissive firms—especially those serving in previous administrations—who are willing to undermine constitutional protections and hasten the demise of our democracy to protect their overly generous compensation;
- To call for Congressional investigations of Trump’s and the DOJ’s unprecedented use of their executive powers to intimidate and silence lawyers and law firms Trump considers his enemies.
FURTHER READING
As the White House’s campaign against law firms continues, Trump says a bit too much
A Playbook for Standing Up to President Trump
Big Backlash at Big Law Democrats
Trump’s attacks on law firms are an attack on law itself
Trump’s attacks on universities and law firms threaten the right to dissent
Our Law Firm Won’t Cave to Trump. Who Will Join Us?
As Firms Sue to Stop Trump’s Executive Orders, a Split emerges in Big Law
The New “Blacklists” Work When Law Firms Stay Silent
They Are America’s Most Powerful Law Firms. Their Silence Is Deafening
Big Law Must Stand Up to Trump
Trump’s Attack on Lawyers and Law Firms Takes a Page Out of the Southern 1950s Playbook
Trump’s Not Just Attacking Law Firms. He’s Assaulting the Rule of Law
