Perkins Coie LLP v. U.S. DOJ

Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and New York Council of Defense Lawyers as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment.

Brief filed: 04/04/2025

Documents

Perkins Coie LLP v. U.S. DOJ

District of Columbia; Case No. 1:25-cv-716

Argument(s)

Executive Order No. 14230 (EO) penalizes federal contractors and individuals who retain or employ the law firm Perkins Coie for criminal defense. The order violates the Sixth Amendment by undermining the right to counsel of choice and effective, conflict-free legal representation. The EO creates financial and reputational risks for clients who hire Perkins Coie and pressures the firm to drop criminal defense clients in politically disfavored cases. It chills advocacy and deters other attorneys from taking on controversial cases.

Author(s)

Noam Biale and Lara P. Niedzielski, Sher Tremonte LLP, New York, NY; on behalf of NACDL and NYCDL

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