A recent ruling from a federal judge has declared unconstitutional a presidential executive order that targeted an elite law firm, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, LLP (WilmerHale). The executive order in question, Executive Order 14250, issued by former President Trump in March, aimed to impede WilmerHale’s business operations by revoking security clearances, cancelling contracts with businesses that utilized the firm’s services, and limiting attorneys’ access to federal facilities.
US District Judge Richard Leon, sitting in the District of Columbia, delivered the judgment, granting summary judgment to WilmerHale on eight out of eleven claims, including violations of the First, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments, as well as ruling the executive order to be ultra vires—an action beyond the President’s legal authority. The full court ruling can be viewed here.
The court’s decision highlights the arguments that WilmerHale presented, alleging that the executive order served as retaliation for the firm’s representation of clients and causes that the President opposed. Notable engagements included representing interests in the investigation led by FBI Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian involvement in the 2016 US election. The lawsuit, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, LLP v. Executive Office of the President, also referenced past legal precedent underscoring the principle that legal representation itself should not be penalized.
The judgment requires all defendants, including multiple federal agencies and officials, to desist from implementing or effecting any measures outlined in the executive order. The court has given federal officials a timeline of one week to submit a compliance report. This decision marks a significant development for both the legal firm and broader regulatory oversight regarding executive actions. For detailed coverage of the judgment, visit the JURIST website.