March 12, 2025

[San Francisco, CA]—The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) joins with legal professionals across the country to condemn recent actions by the federal administration against two national law firms, both of which have significant offices in San Francisco. These firms were targeted in apparent retaliation for fulfilling their ethical duty to zealously represent their clients. The administration’s actions undermine the constitutional values and legal traditions that safeguard the independence of the legal profession. We call for an immediate cessation of these attacks.

Last Thursday, the President signed an executive order targeting one law firm, revoking its attorneys’ security clearances and barring access to government buildings and officials. This followed a similar action against Covington & Burling, which was penalized for its pro bono work aiding Special Counsel Jack Smith.

These measures echo efforts by some officials to undermine federal judges who have ruled against the administration’s policies. Such tactics have the effect of eroding the judiciary’s constitutional role as a check on executive power.

Like judges, lawyers must also be free from fear of government retaliation. When government officials retaliate against attorneys for their representation, they weaponize state authority to suppress lawful dissent. This betrays the fundamental American principle that justice is blind. No one is above the law in our system, not even the executive branch.

America has a long tradition of lawyers defending clients in politically charged and often unpopular cases and causes. This reflects our nation's commitment to justice and the rule of law. Founding Father John Adams famously represented British soldiers after the Boston Massacre. Alexander Hamilton defended a Federalist journalist charged with libeling President Thomas Jefferson. William Seward defended a Black man accused of murder, arguing insanity amid racial prejudice. Attorneys risk public scorn to vocalize the rights of individuals, whistleblowers, and political adversaries. In shouldering this burden, they safeguard constitutional liberties for all, not just the majority. An executive branch that intimidates judges or lawyers disrupts the balance of power, weakening the role of the legal system as a whole as a check on overreach.

Accordingly, we condemn these recent actions, and we call for the federal administration to cease all such actions and reaffirm its commitment to both the principles of non-retaliation and the independence of the judiciary.

Sincerely,

Charles H. Jung
President
Bar Association of San Francisco

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About the Bar Association of San Francisco:

The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) is a nonprofit voluntary membership organization of attorneys, law students, and legal professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Founded in 1872, BASF enjoys the support of more than 5,200 individuals, law firms, corporate legal departments, and law schools. Through its board of directors, its committees, task forces and its community efforts, BASF has worked actively to promote equal justice for all and oppose discrimination in all its forms, including, but not limited to, discrimination based on race, sex, disability, and sexual orientation.

BASF provides a collective voice for public advocacy, advances professional growth and education, and attempts to elevate the standards of integrity, honor, and respect in the practice of law.