Gould Dean joins in condemning Trump law firm sanctions

Multiple executive orders have terminated federal contracts with major firms.

By JUSTIN HA
Gould School of Law Dean Franita Tolson speaking.
Gould School of Law Dean Larissa Puro joined 78 law deans in signing the letter, which specified that the signers were expressing their personal views, not representing their institutions. (Larissa Puro / Gould School of Law)

Gould School of Law Dean Franita Tolson joined 78 law deans in signing a letter issued Wednesday condemning the Trump administration’s sanctions against law firms involved in lawsuits or employed prosecutors challenging its agenda. The letter specified that the signers were expressing their personal views, not representing their institutions. 

“The government should not punish lawyers and law firms for the clients they represent, absent specific findings that such representation was illegal or unethical,” the letter read. “Punishing lawyers for their representation and advocacy violates the First Amendment and undermines the Sixth Amendment.”


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The letter comes after President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders in March targeting major law firms, including Paul Weiss, Perkins Coie, Covington & Burling and Jenner & Block. The executive orders authorize the termination of the firm’s security clearances and federal contracts.

In the order involving Paul Weiss and Perkins Coie, the administration also cited the firms’ implementation of targets for diversity, equity and inclusion as reasoning behind the sanctions.

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