A US federal judge has rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to remove law firm Susman Godfrey from a lawsuit filed by the American Bar Association (ABA) against President Donald Trump’s administration.
US District Judge Amir Ali ruled on Friday that the government had failed to demonstrate that the law firm’s involvement in matters related to the case created a conflict of interest serious enough to justify its disqualification.
In his ruling, Ali said the administration had not established that Susman Godfrey lawyers would be required to serve as witnesses in the same lawsuit they were handling on behalf of the ABA.
The judge also explained that even if a lawyer from the firm were required to testify, professional conduct rules would not automatically require the entire law firm to withdraw from the case.
“The ABA seeks discovery about communications related to Susman Godfrey does not indicate the lawyers representing the ABA here, who may not have even been involved in the communications, are likely to be necessary witnesses,” Ali wrote.
Ali was appointed to the federal bench by former Democratic President Joe Biden.
The White House did not immediately comment on the ruling, while the ABA had not responded to a request for comment at the time of reporting.
The ABA filed the lawsuit last year, accusing the Trump administration of unlawfully targeting law firms and lawyers based on their legal work, hiring practices, diversity policies and political connections.
Susman Godfrey was among the firms targeted through a series of executive orders issued by Trump against law firms. The firm is one of three that secured permanent court orders blocking enforcement of the orders against them, although the administration’s appeal remains pending.
In July, the Trump administration asked Judge Ali to disqualify Susman Godfrey from representing the ABA, arguing that the organisation could easily find another law firm to handle its case.
The government maintained that removing Susman Godfrey would not harm the ABA because it could choose from numerous other legal firms.
However, the ABA and Susman Godfrey opposed the request, describing it as another attempt to intimidate the legal profession and discourage lawyers from speaking out.
The lawsuit, known as American Bar Association v. Executive Office of the President, is being heard at the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
