President Donald Trump is facing a new legal challenge from Susman Godfrey LLP, a powerhouse litigation firm. On Friday, the firm filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, pushing back against Trump’s latest executive order.
The executive order blocks lawyers from entering federal buildings and cuts contracts with Susman’s clients. Trump’s move specifically targets firms that handled cases against him, raising major legal and business concerns.
Susman Godfrey argues the order violates the Constitution by punishing firms for exercising legal power in business. The firm asked the court to freeze the directive and stop its enforcement immediately.
The Houston-based firm became widely known for representing Dominion Voting Systems. That case ended with a $787.5 million settlement against Fox News over election-related defamation. Susman is also currently representing Dominion in a lawsuit against Trump ally Mike Lindell.
Other top firms Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale have also challenged similar executive orders. Courts have already blocked some parts of those directives, highlighting serious legal concerns about presidential overreach.
Several firms are now offering nearly $1 billion in pro bono legal work to avoid further conflict. These preemptive deals reflect how deeply political actions are affecting legal power in business.
Trump’s executive order accuses Susman of misusing the court system to influence elections. He also stripped security clearances from lawyers associated with firms he believes acted against him.
Legal experts warn this move could deter companies from hiring effective legal counsel. A third of Susman’s cases involve federal matters, making the impact of this order significant. The firm says the attack could scare clients away, hurting its ability to operate.
Susman is represented by Donald Verrilli of Munger Tolles & Olson, a firm actively opposing these orders. Munger has coordinated support from over 500 law firms in similar cases.
This lawsuit marks another pivotal moment in the clash between politics and legal power in business. The outcome could reshape how law firms handle politically sensitive cases.
As tensions rise, legal power in business remains a central issue affecting both law and commerce.
For more business news updates, visit Dc brief.
