Federal judge blocks Trump order against law firm, calling it a "personal vendetta"
Judge Howell issued the temporary restraining order at the conclusion of a two-hour hearing over Trump's executive order against Perkins Coie.

Chris Geidner
Mar 12, 2025

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell issued a temporary restraining order on Wednesday blocking enforcement of parts of President Donald Trump's executive order issued last week targeting the law firm of Perkins Coie and its clients — an executive order the firm and its lawyers warned would create an “existential” crisis for the firm if not enjoined. ... The “retaliatory animus“ of Trump’s executive order, Howell declared after a two-hour hearing, was clear. The order affixed a "badge of infamy" to the firm, and the public interest “demands” that she issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to protect fundamental aspects of our legal system.

Howell, an Obama appointee, issued her ruling from the bench at the conclusion of the hearing, which was scheduled just a day after the law firm filed the lawsuit. ... The TRO blocks enforcement of Sections 1, 3, and 5 of the executive order. Those provisions lay out the “purpose” of the order, the “contracting” directives, and the “personnel” restrictions.

A written order will follow, but Howell laid out her decision extensively, including with citations to court cases and citation pages, from the bench. She did so, she added, because, while TROs are not generally appealable, that has not stopped this administration from trying. (See: Here and here.) ... Howell found that Perkins Coie, which is being represented in the unusual litigation by lawyers with the law firm of Williams & Connolly, is likely to succeed in its First Amendment, Fifth Amendment due process, and Sixth Amendment right to counsel claims.

[Update, 10:15 p.m.: Later Wednesday evening, Howell filed the written order, which includes a requirement that the Justice Department file a status report on Friday updating her on “the steps taken to ensure compliance” with the TRO:

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