Perkins Coie executive order
Editorial record through October 30, 2026. Later developments are not reflected here.
What the record establishes
In March 2025, Trump issued Executive Order 14230 imposing restrictions on the law firm Perkins Coie. On May 2, 2025, a federal district court granted summary judgment to the firm and blocked the challenged restrictions as unconstitutional. The government appealed; it briefly moved to dismiss its appeal in March 2026, then withdrew the dismissal request. Oral argument occurred in May 2026.
Why it raises an ethical concern
Using presidential authority against a law firm associated with political opponents risks retaliation and may chill representation and speech.
Government action affecting a legal practice can reach beyond the targeted firm if it discourages attorneys from representing unpopular clients. Whether a particular measure was lawful is a separate question from the appearance of political retaliation.
Context and strongest counterargument
The administration raised allegations of misconduct and contracting or security concerns. The court rejected the order’s challenged restrictions. This is a district-court ruling under appeal, not a Supreme Court holding; the available case chronology does not establish a final appellate outcome.
Read the evidence
- Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse — Perkins Coie v. DOJ ↗
Court-case chronology. Where to look: May 2, 2025 ruling; 2026 appeal history.
- Perkins Coie case filings and court orders ↗
Party-hosted collection of primary filings. Where to look: May 2, 2025 summary-judgment opinion; May 2026 argument.
Evidence and competing interpretations
Executive Order 14230 was issued March 6, 2025. On May 2, 2025, Judge Beryl Howell granted Perkins Coie summary judgment and permanently enjoined enforcement of the order, finding constitutional violations. The government appealed June 2025; on March 2, 2026, it sought to dismiss the appeal but withdrew that request the following day. The D.C. Circuit scheduled oral argument for May 14, 2026, and the firm records argument that day. The executive order asserted security, contracting, and misconduct concerns; those are administration allegations, not judicial findings. The available sources do not establish a final appellate merits disposition as of October 27, 2026. The ruling concerns Perkins Coie specifically, not a blanket injunction against all law-firm orders.