In recent weeks, there have been troubling reports of high-level politicians impugning and threatening to impeach judges whose rulings they do not like and questioning the legitimacy and binding effect of adverse judicial rulings.  A few courts have found that the administration has failed to comply with their rulings.  In a further escalation, President Donald Trump recently stripped the security clearance of two law firms, Covington Burling and Perkins Coie, and individual attorneys who have sued or taken positions adverse to the current administration or its political party, sought to limit the access of certain attorneys to government buildings and ordered the attorney general and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to review the DEI practices of “large, influential, or industry-leading law firms.” And, finally, an alarming number of employees of the executive branch, including many attorneys, have resigned to protest official directives which are contrary to their oaths to administer the law and perform their duties without favor or political influence.

The Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) condemns all political attacks on our constitutionally mandated system of governance which is based on the rule of law, separation of powers and three co-equal and independent branches of government, regardless of who makes them.  It also condemns threats against and intimidation of judges, lawyers and law firms to attempt to influence any ruling, criticism, or opposition adverse to the proponent’s position. LACBA also applauds the conviction and courage of individuals who stand up for the rule of law at great personal and professional cost.

LACBA’s mission is to meet the professional needs of Los Angeles lawyers and advance and protect the administration of justice. LACBA is committed to the legal profession and our legal system including issues affecting the administration of justice and the rule of law and operation of our courts and legal institutions.

It is also important for every lawyer to protect the rule of law. All lawyers and judges in the country have taken an oath to serve the rule of law. To practice law in California, every lawyer must swear to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California.

Defense of the rule of law is not a partisan issue.  We cannot become a country whose system of governance varies depending on which political party is in office.  LACBA recognizes and affirms the right to challenge a judge’s ruling for reasons based in fact, law, or policy.  Criticism that crosses the line into personal attacks against, or intimidation of, judges, lawyers and law firms, regardless of who makes it, undermines our system of governance. Disobedience of court rulings, by definition, undermines the rule of law.

LACBA joins other bar associations who have expressed their concern about recent events.  Attacks on courts and lawyers should not be normalized and should be called out for what they are to avoid further escalation and the degradation of long-established legal norms. We invite our members and indeed every lawyer to speak up for the rule of law and take every opportunity to engage in discussion with our fellow Americans to explain how our constitutionally mandated system of governance works and why these recent events pose a threat to its stability and continued existence.

Los Angeles County Bar Association
Executive Committee

LACBA was founded in 1878 and is one of the largest voluntary metropolitan bar associations in the country.  LACBA serves legal professionals through its many sections, committees, networking events, live and on-demand CLE programs, and pro bono opportunities.