Press Contacts:
Jordan Wilhelmi, jordan@unbendablemedia.com
David Coy, editor@sfbar.org, 510-333-7249

Statement from the Nation of Laws Coalition in Support of the American Bar Association's Lawsuit

June 18, 2025

The Nation of Laws Coalition stands in strong support of the American Bar Association (ABA) for filing a lawsuit challenging the federal government's attempts at systematic intimidation of lawyers and law firms. The government's use of sanctions, contract terminations, and other retaliatory measures to coerce lawyers into abandoning clients represents a direct assault on the independence of the legal profession and violates fundamental First Amendment rights. This lawsuit is not just about protecting lawyers. It is about protecting the process of justice itself. Without fearless legal representation, all other rights are at risk. Our coalition partners are proud to stand with the ABA. 


When attorneys face government retaliation for zealously representing their clients, we move dangerously close to a system where power, not principle, determines legal outcomes. The systematic intimidation tactics described in the ABA’s lawsuit threaten the very foundation of equal justice under law. We stand firmly with the ABA in this critical fight to preserve the independence that makes justice possible for all Americans.
— Traci Feit Love, Founder and Executive Director, Lawyers for Good Government
In suing to protect the legal profession’s independence from government control, the ABA has chosen to act with courage, commitment, and dedication to the rights of all lawyers to serve their clients, regardless of their political beliefs. The ABA’s defense of our constitutional democracy should inspire bar associations around the country to speak up in support of the rule of law. All lawyers are needed to stand together in defense of our profession and our justice system.
— Lauren Stiller Rikleen, Executive Director, Lawyers Defending American Democracy and a former president of the Boston Bar Association
The oath we take as lawyers is a promise to our clients and to the system of justice itself. That promise is rendered meaningless if lawyers can be intimidated into silence. The Bar Association of San Francisco, representing thousands of lawyers committed to that oath, applauds the ABA for taking this necessary action. We stand in solidarity to ensure that every person has access to independent, zealous counsel, which is the bedrock of our legal system.
— Charles H. Jung, President, Bar Association of San Francisco
There has never been a more important time in our nation’s history to be a lawyer. Today, our client is American democracy itself. We are proud to stand in solidarity with the ABA as it defends the rule of law, and the sanctity of the oath we each swore to protect and defend the United States Constitution. Threats, intimidation, and coercion against lawyers, law firms and the judiciary have no place in a free society.
— Sherry Diamond, CEO and General Counsel of the Santa Clara County Bar Association
The Denver Bar Association stands with the ABA in calling out this administration’s blatant attempt to tyrannize lawyers out of doing their jobs. Retaliating against attorneys for representing disfavored clients isn’t just unethical—it’s authoritarian. This lawsuit is about more than legal ethics; it’s about defending the very foundation of a fair justice system. The legal profession won’t be intimidated. We will keep showing up.
— Annie Martínez, President, The Denver Bar Association
It’s a very sad day when the ABA finds it necessary to sue the federal government in defense of the rule of law and the principle of equal access to justice, two of the most fundamental principles of our democracy. Yet, here we are. We fully support the ABA’s efforts and look forward to their swift victory in court.
— Pat Almonrode, Co-facilitator of Third Act Lawyers.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers stands in solidarity with the ABA against the federal government’s attempts at systematic intimidation of lawyers and law firms. Under our Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, it is our duty, when necessary, to challenge the rectitude of official action and to uphold the integrity of the legal process. We continue to stand for the rule of law.
— Board of Directors of the Chicago Council of Lawyers
The National Bar Association stands in solidarity with the American Bar Association in its efforts to uphold the core values of justice, equality, and the independence of the legal profession. At a time when foundational institutions are under attack, we must remain united in defense of the rule of law and the principles that sustain our democracy.
— Wiley S. Adams, President of the National Bar Association
The lawsuit significantly unites ALL members of the ABA, including those in law firms that were targeted with executive orders but challenged them, and those in firms that felt pressure to cut deals with the administration in an attempt to preserve their business. It represents the united interest of all lawyers to be able to act independently, a principle enshrined in the professional rules and international law.
— Melissa Hooper, a Senior Fellow on Rule of Law at the German Marshall Fund
Women Lawyers On Guard Action Network strongly supports the ABA’s ongoing efforts to support the rule of law and the freedoms enunciated in the US Constitution. This ABA lawsuit against the Trump Administration further demonstrates this commitment.
— Corrine Propas Parver, President, Women Lawyers On Guard Action Network
Lawyers are officers of every court they appear in: state, local, and federal. The public depends on us to represent Americans’ rights, whether it is personal injury, criminal, civil rights, business or tax issues, real property, or estate problems, to name just a few. Intimidation of lawyers who owe a fiduciary duty to our clients to zealously represent their interests amounts to  an assault on our clients themselves. This is not a partisan issue. It affects everyone. This is intolerable in a free country. We cannot stand for it, and neither should you!
— We Object! co-founder, Martin Baum
Regardless of political affiliation, employment, or area of practice, it is necessary for lawyers to unite in defense of the rule of law. The judicial branch of our government is here to serve justice—not politics, and the legal profession is the working arm of that branch. We cannot and will not yield to anyone who attacks our democratic institutions.
— Bobby Shukla, President, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association

The Nation of Laws Coalition is a non-partisan alliance of legal organizations and advocates dedicated to upholding the rule of law, judicial independence, and the independence of the legal profession.