U.S. law firm Perkins Coie has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that former President Donald Trump unlawfully retaliated against the firm for its past work with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and its diversity and inclusion policies.
The lawsuit, submitted to a federal court in Washington, D.C., seeks to overturn Trump’s March 6 executive order, which the firm argues directly threatens its ability to operate.
According to the lawsuit, “Perkins Coie’s ability to represent the interests of its clients — and its ability to operate as a legal-services business at all — are under direct and imminent threat” due to the administration’s order.
Trump’s executive directive instructs federal agencies to scrutinize government contracts involving Perkins Coie, suspend security clearances used by the firm’s lawyers for sensitive cases, and reconsider the firm’s access to government offices and officials. Additionally, it advises agencies to terminate any ongoing contractual work involving Perkins Coie’s clients.
A White House spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Seattle-based Perkins Coie claims that at least seven clients, including a major government contractor, have severed legal ties with the firm following Trump’s order. The lawsuit underscores the ongoing conflict between Trump and major law firms that he accuses of opposing his administration’s agenda.
This legal dispute follows Trump’s February executive order targeting Covington & Burling, a law firm that represented the special counsel responsible for now-dismissed criminal cases related to Trump’s handling of classified information and his attempts to challenge the 2020 election results against Joe Biden.
Perkins Coie and Covington & Burling are among several high-profile firms involved in litigation against Trump administration policies, including cases related to immigration, federal grants, and transgender rights.
Trump’s executive order also cites Perkins Coie’s role in Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. The firm has long been criticized by conservative groups for its association with Fusion GPS, the research company that funded a dossier alleging ties between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.
Trump has repeatedly denied the claims made in the dossier and dismissed allegations of any collusion with Russia.
Perkins Coie has also faced scrutiny over former partner Michael Sussmann, who provided legal advice to Clinton’s 2016 campaign. In 2022, Sussmann was acquitted of charges alleging that he lied to the FBI about a potential link between Trump’s business and a Russian bank.
The lawsuit is expected to add to the legal tensions surrounding Trump as he continues to face opposition from prominent law firms over his policies and executive actions.
