Jenner & Block on Friday sued the Trump administration over an executive order signed by Trump earlier this week targeting the law firm, citing in part its ties to Andrew Weissmann, a prosecutor who previously worked for the firm and also worked in former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office.
“For more than 100 years, Jenner has stood firm and tirelessly advocated for our clients against all adversaries, including against unlawful government action,” the company said in a statement. “We once again go to court to do just that. To do otherwise would mean compromising our ability to zealously advocate for all of our clients and capitulating to unconstitutional government coercion, which is simply not in our DNA.”
Jenner argues Trump’s executive order is “an unconstitutional abuse of power against lawyers, their clients, and the legal system.”
“It is intended to hamper the ability of individuals and businesses to have the lawyers of their choice zealously represent them. And it is intended to coerce law firms and lawyers into renouncing the Administration’s critics and ceasing certain representations adverse to the government,” its lawsuit states.
Jenner also noted Weissmann left the firm in 2021.
“That the Order targets Jenner based on the actions of its former partner and proceeds from the false premise that Mr. Weissmann is currently employed at the Firm, only underscores that the Order amounts to pure retaliation and cannot be justified based on supposed ‘[r]isks’,” the complaint adds.
Trump has also targeted WilmerHale, a law firm that once employed Mueller who oversaw the 2016 Russian election interference probe and is another frequent target of the president.
