From Law & Crime · · 1m 40s
Judge rejects Trump admin's effort to disqualify Susman Godfrey law firm
Federal judge dismisses Trump administration's attempt to disqualify Susman Godfrey in ABA lawsuit over executive orders.
In brief
Federal judge dismisses Trump administration's attempt to disqualify Susman Godfrey in ABA lawsuit over executive orders. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali rejects Trump administration's claim that Susman Godfrey violates ethics rules, allowing the law firm to remain in ABA lawsuit. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Judge rejects Trump admin's disqualification bid
U.S. District Judge Amir Ali rejects Trump administration's request to disqualify Susman Godfrey law firm in ABA lawsuit.
“the aba's complaint details a 14-week period leading up to this suit in which the government launched and executed a coordinated campaign to intimidate and punish law firms and their lawyers based on their speech”
ABA sues over Trump executive orders
American Bar Association sued after Trump administration issued executive orders targeting law firms for abandoning clients and policy positions.
“the aba's complaint details a 14-week period leading up to this suit in which the government launched and executed a coordinated campaign to intimidate and punish law firms and their lawyers based on their speech”
Susman Godfrey targeted by executive order
Susman Godfrey was one of the law firms targeted by Trump's executive order and obtained a permanent injunction against it.
“susman godfrey was one of the law firms targeted for sanctions by an executive order, and it obtained a permanent injunction against that order”
DOJ moves to disqualify law firm
Department of Justice moved to disqualify Susman Godfrey on grounds of violating legal ethics rules in D.C.
“to hear the government tell it, the situation was 'the textbook case where the rules of professional conduct prohibit…a lawyer from serving as both advocate and witness'”
Judge finds no ethical violation
Judge states government cannot identify any lawyer at Susman Godfrey likely to be a necessary witness in trial.
“here, the government does not identify any lawyer at susman godfrey who is likely to be a necessary witness at trial”
Rule 3.7(a) applies to individual lawyers
Rule 3.7(a) restricts representation by individual lawyers, not law firms, so disqualification of one lawyer doesn't affect the whole firm.
“rule 3.7a restricts representation by individual lawyers, not by their law firms”
No connection to Susman Godfrey
Lawyers representing ABA were not involved in communications with Susman Godfrey regarding the executive order.
“the court finds the lawyers representing the aba in this case are not likely to be necessary witnesses”
Government's argument rejected
Judge rejects government's claim that Susman Godfrey is a 'central player' in the underlying litigation.
“the government does not explain which party is likely to call a susman godfrey lawyer as a witness”
Discovery dispute resolved
Court clears path for resolving discovery dispute between DOJ and ABA over communications related to Susman Godfrey.
“that the aba seeks discovery about communications related to susman godfrey does not indicate the lawyers representing the aba here are likely to be necessary witnesses”
Case moves forward
Susman Godfrey remains in ABA lawsuit after judge dismisses Trump administration's disqualification request.
“the court finds the lawyers representing the aba in this case are not likely to be necessary witnesses”
What to remember
U.S. District Judge Amir Ali rejects Trump administration's claim that Susman Godfrey violates ethics rules, allowing the law firm to remain in ABA lawsuit.
