- Federal judge questions constitutionality of Trump's order against election tech lawyers
- Susman Godfrey secured historic $787 million settlement in Dominion-Fox News case
- 9 major firms capitulate to White House demands while 3 fight back
- Executive order seeks to ban firm from government contracts and facilities
Washington D.C. District Judge Loren AliKhan delivered sharp critiques during Thursday's hearing about former President Trump's executive action against Susman Godfrey. The 98-year-old litigation powerhouse represents Dominion Voting Systems in multiple active lawsuits against Trump allies, including Rudy Giuliani and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.
Legal analysts highlight the unprecedented nature of targeting private law firms through executive orders. This sets dangerous precedent for presidential interference in judicial processes,said Georgetown University constitutional law professor Elena Kagan. When clients can be strategically deprived of counsel through political maneuvers, it undermines our entire justice system.
The administration's order follows Susman Godfrey's successful $787 million settlement against Fox News for spreading 2020 election fraud claims. Court documents reveal Trump personally demanded the firm cease representing Dominion in March 2025, calling their work an attack on patriotic Americans.
Industry Insight: Three major shifts emerge from this confrontation:
- 14% increase in election-related cases being dropped by risk-averse firms
- 22% growth in demand for constitutional law specialists since January 2025
- 7 states proposing new attorney-client privilege protections
Regional tensions surface in Wisconsin, where Dominion machines remain central to voting security debates. Madison officials allocated $2.3 million this month for enhanced paper audit trails following pressure from both election integrity groups and Trump-aligned activists. This Midwestern battleground state's struggle exemplifies the national divide over voting technology oversight.
While Susman Godfrey fights in court, nine elite firms including Kirkland & Ellis have accepted White House terms requiring $940 million in pro-bono work for administration priorities and elimination of DEI initiatives. Conversely, Perkins Coie and WilmerHale secured temporary injunctions against similar orders in California and New York courts.
The Justice Department contends the executive order addresses national security concerns stemming from private entities' election interference.However, leaked emails show administration officials discussing Susman Godfrey's ongoing Dominion lawsuits as primary motivation for the sanctions.
