Key players: Targeted firms are Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, WilmerHale, and Susman Godfrey; nine other firms settled with the administration for nearly $1 billion in pro bono work.[1][4][7][8][10] Judges involved: Beryl Howell (Obama appointee), John Bates and Richard Leon (G.W. Bush appointees), Loren AliKhan (Biden appointee), all D.D.C.[1] DOJ represents the administration; ABA sued separately, claiming the EOs intimidate lawyers into abandoning clients.[7][9][10]
Context and timeline: Trump issued EOs punishing firms for representing opponents, administration officials, or allies (e.g., January 6 cases, Trump prosecutions); firms sued, winning injunctions starting ~2025.[1][7][9][10] ABA filed in June 2025 alleging a broader "intimidation policy."[9] Post-rulings, DOJ appealed but flip-flopped this week amid criticism of "incompetence and chaos" from ex-Judge Shira Scheindlin.[1][4][5]
Newsworthiness: Reported April 3, 2026, the DOJ's abrupt reversal highlights administration turmoil and tests constitutional limits on punishing lawyers, with massive amicus support signaling broad legal opposition just before the appeal deadline.[2][3][4][5]