334 Solo & Small Firm Lawyers Amicus Brief in Support of Plaintiff

Key Excerpts

• The [Executive] Order disproportionately harms vulnerable clients who rely on solo and small firm lawyers to access justice. Solo and small firm practitioners often uphold the proud tradition of representing marginalized, controversial, or unpopular clients against the government. These attorneys are uniquely susceptible to targeted retaliation as they lack the institutional buffers of large firms.
• The Executive Order also directly affects amici’s clients by placing attorneys in a position where their interests are in conflict with those of their clients. Lawyers may not be able to communicate with agency officials or access information necessary for effective representation. Lawyers may be forced to choose between their livelihood and service to their clients.
• Amici, solo and small law firm practitioners who serve as frontline defenders of the rights of millions of Americans, cannot be forced to “toe the line” to avoid governmental retaliation. Unlike large firms, we lack the institutional resources to defend against these attacks. When our access is denied, our clients—often society’s most vulnerable—are silenced.