President Donald Trump’s campaign against Big Law is creating ripples on Capitol Hill.
The Political Memo Circulation
A senior Republican House aide recently circulated a memo among GOP offices cautioning against engaging with lobbying clients of Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie, two prominent law firms targeted by Trump. This directive, obtained by POLITICO, mirrors a similar communication sent to Senate Republican offices earlier.
Immediate Impact on Qualcomm
The consequences are already evident. Qualcomm, a client of Covington & Burling, contacted a D.C. lobbying firm seeking information on rates, citing POLITICO’s coverage on the Senate email. This move underscores the influence of Trump’s directives beyond the White House.
Responses from Law Firms
While Covington & Burling emphasized their bipartisan engagement with congressional members, Perkins Coie and Qualcomm refrained from commenting on the situation. The broader legal landscape has seen firms like Jenner & Block and WilmerHale legally challenging Trump’s executive orders, while others like Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and Paul, Weiss have sought agreements with the administration to avoid similar repercussions.
Chilling Effect on Big Law
Although Trump’s orders to strip federal contracts and security clearances from lawyers at Covington and Perkins Coie may not have directly impacted their major clients, the measures have instilled a sense of caution within the legal community. The legal battles and negotiations between major firms and the administration highlight the far-reaching implications of Trump’s decisions.
