President Donald Trump has issued executive orders targeting a half-dozen law firms, including Houston-based Susman Godfrey, accusing them of “spearheading efforts to weaponize the American legal system and degrading the quality of American elections” and “undermining the effectiveness of the United States military.” The EOs also accuse the firms of racially discriminatory practices via their diversity and inclusion programs.
March 6 — President Trump issues executive order against Perkins Coie
March 11 — Perkins Coie sues Trump administration
March 12 — Judge grants Perkins Coie TRO preventing EO from being enforced
March 14 — President issues executive order against Paul Weiss
March 17 — EEOC sends demand letter to 20 large law firms — 13 with offices in Texas — seeking information on their diversity programs and those of their clients
March 20 — Paul Weiss reaches settlement agreement with president, who withdraws EO
March 21 — President issues memorandum instructing U.S. attorney general to investigate law firms that pursue “frivolous and vexatious” lawsuits against the government
March 25 — President issues EO against Jenner Block
March 27 — President issues EO against WilmerHale
March 28 — Skadden Arps, fearing an EO, reaches settlement agreement with White House
March 28 — WilmerHale and Jenner Block sue Trump administration, obtain judicial TROs
March 28 — Willkie Farr reaches settlement agreement with President Trump
April 4 — Susman Godfrey and eight other Texas firms join 504 firms in amicus brief supporting Perkins Coie
April 9 — President issues EO against Susman Godfrey, which promises to fight
April 11 — Five law firms, including Kirkland, Latham, A&O Shearman and Simpson Thacher, which have offices in Texas, reach agreements with the White House
April 11 — Susman Godfrey sues President Trump
April 15 — Judge issues TRO preventing president’s EO from being enforced against Susman Godfrey
April 23 — Susman Godfrey seeks summary judgment against President Trump
April 24 — DOJ asks judge to dismiss Susman Godfrey lawsuit
April 25 — More than 20 different groups, including former GCs, former judges, bar associations and hundreds of law firms, file amicus briefs supporting Susman Godfrey
May 2 — Judge grants summary judgment to Perkins Coie, permanently barring the EO from taking effect
May 8 — Judge AliKhan hears oral arguments in Susman Godfrey’s motion for summary judgment