By David Thomas and Mike Scarcella
(Reuters) – The law firm Jenner & Block sued the U.S. government on Friday, seeking to block an executive order by President Donald Trump that suspended security clearances for its lawyers and restricted the firm’s access to government buildings, officials and federal contracting work.
Jenner & Block said in the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, that Trump’s order violated its rights and had immediately harmed its business.
“Every day the Order remains in effect, it causes Jenner escalating and irreparable harm to its reputation and finances,” its lawsuit said.
The firm said Trump’s executive order is unconstitutional and meant to coerce lawyers and law firms to stop representing clients opposed to the administration.
“For more than 100 years, Jenner has tirelessly advocated for its clients against all adversaries, including against unlawful government action,” the lawsuit said. “With this suit, the Firm takes up that charge once again.”
Spokespeople for the White House and the U.S. Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The executive order against Jenner & Block cited the firm’s past employment of Andrew Weissmann, a top federal prosecutor involved in former U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation that detailed Russian contacts with Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. It accused the firm of engaging in “partisan ‘lawfare.'”
Jenner’s lawsuit is the second against the Trump administration since the president issued a series of executive orders targeting major law firms.
A federal judge on March 12 temporarily blocked most of an executive order Trump issued against Perkins Coie, finding it likely violated the U.S. Constitution.
Jenner & Block and Perkins Coie are among more than a dozen large firms representing clients in pending lawsuits against the administration. Jenner’s cases include one seeking to protect transgender rights.
Trump’s targeting of law firms has been denounced by bar associations, Democratic state attorneys general and heads of legal departments at some U.S. companies.
Jenner’s lawsuit said more than 40% of its revenue over the last five years comes from government contractors, subcontractors or affiliates. The firm said several of its clients are worried that their work with Jenner could affect their relationship with the federal government.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York and David Thomas in Chicago; Editing by David Bario, Chizu Nomiyama and Franklin Paul)
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