The recent executive order titled “Addressing Risks From Perkins Coie LLP” is not just an overreach of executive power — it is a direct assault on the rule of law, the Constitution, and the very foundations of our legal system. By targeting a specific law firm, this order sets a chilling precedent that undermines the First Amendment, violates due process protections under the Fifth Amendment, and threatens the right of individuals to choose their legal representation. It is a blatant attempt to weaponize government power against perceived political adversaries, and it must be opposed by all who value justice, fairness and the integrity of the legal profession.

At its core, this executive order is a direct attack on free speech. The First Amendment guarantees the right to speak freely, associate freely and petition the government for redress of grievances. Lawyers, as advocates for their clients, play a critical role in ensuring these rights are protected.

By singling out Perkins Coie LLP — a firm that has represented clients across the political spectrum — the administration is sending a clear message: Engage in legal work we disapprove of or represent our political opponents, and you will face retribution. This is not just an attack on one firm; it is an attack on the entire legal profession and the constitutional rights it exists to defend.

Equally alarming is the order’s flagrant disregard for the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee of due process. The order levies broad, vague allegations against the firm without providing any specific evidence or allowing for a meaningful opportunity to respond. Due process is not a mere formality — it is a cornerstone of our legal system, ensuring that no person (or entity) is deprived of their rights without fair notice and a chance to be heard.

Perhaps most egregiously, the order undermines the fundamental right of individuals to hire counsel of their choice. The ability to choose one’s lawyer is a bedrock principle of our legal system, enshrined in the Sixth Amendment for criminal defendants and recognized as a vital component of access to justice in civil matters. By banning all lawyers of a specific firm from entering federal buildings (which arguably includes federal courthouses), the administration is attempting to intimidate both lawyers and their clients, undermining the attorney-client relationship and discouraging individuals from seeking legal representation that aligns with their needs and values. This is not just an attack on Perkins Coie — it is an attack on every American’s right to legal representation of their choice.

The implications of this executive order extend far beyond one law firm. If allowed to stand, it will embolden future administrations to target other firms, organizations or individuals who oppose them through legal means. It will erode public trust in the legal system and undermine the independence of the legal profession. Lawyers, as guardians of the rule of law, have a duty to oppose this overreach and defend the principles that make our system of justice work.

To remain silent in the face of such an egregious abuse of power is to be complicit in its erosion of our constitutional rights. All lawyers — regardless of political affiliation or practice area — must stand together to condemn this order and demand its immediate revocation. We must remind those in power that no one, not even the president, is above the law. The rule of law is not a partisan issue; it is the foundation of our democracy. If we fail to defend it now, we risk losing it forever.

The legal profession must rise to this moment, not just for Perkins Coie, but for the sake of justice, fairness and the Constitution itself.

Rudy E. Verner, Esq., lives in Boulder.