APABA Silicon Valley Stands with Covington & Burling LLP Against February 25, 2025 Executive Order and Perkins Coie LLP Against March 6, 2025 Executive Order
/The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley (“APABA Silicon Valley”) condemns President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Orders “Suspension of Security Clearances and Evaluation of Government Contracts” dated February 25, 2025 attacking Covington & Burling LLP for providing pro bono assistance to Special Counsel Jack Smith, and “Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP” dated March 6, 2025 broadly labeling the activities of Perkins Coie LLP as “dishonest and dangerous,” (collectively the “Executive Orders”).
The Executive Orders are clearly intended to punish only those law firms or other legal organizations that have taken actions in opposition to the Trump administration and represent direct attacks on the right of lawyers and legal professionals to act independently from government interference. The Executive orders are only the most recent attempts by the Trump administration during President Trump’s first sixty days in office to threaten access to lawyers who represent their clients with vigor, integrity, civility, and professionalism, without threat of retaliation. It is a bedrock principle of our nation that we are all equal under the law. Singling out law firms with executive orders presents clear and present danger to the rule of law.
APABA Silicon Valley stands with the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and any law firms under attack from the Trump administration, including Perkins Coie LLP and Covington & Burling LLP, to defend our constitutional rights of free speech, due process, and free association. APABA Silicon Valley supports the court’s finding that the March 6, 2025 Executive Order against Perkins Coie LLP is likely to be found unconstitutional and violate due process, leading to the extraordinary remedy of a temporary restraining order prohibiting enforcement of the Executive Order against Perkins Coie LLP.
APABA Silicon Valley simultaneously remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering professional development and advocacy for Silicon Valley's Asian Pacific American legal community. We will continue to support efforts aimed at fostering inclusive environments where everyone, including Asian Pacific American legal professionals, can do their jobs without fear of politically-driven persecution.
We encourage our community, partners, and allies to join us in addressing the challenges presented by the Executive Orders. Together, we can work towards a future protecting the rule of law, our constitutional rights, and the entire legal profession.
