A new legal combatant named the Washington Litigation Group is taking shape in the realm of American law, poised to challenge the executive orders and agency actions put forth by President Donald Trump during his anticipated second term in office. This organization has emerged as a dedicated entity to contest what many perceive as a fundamental threat to the tenets of the U.S. government during a time of significant transformation under Trump’s leadership. As a collective of distinguished attorneys, judges, and ex-government officials, the firm represents a remarkable convergence of experience and resolve, creating a unique environment intended to protect the legal frameworks of federal governance.
Led by Tom Green, a former head of the white-collar practice at the significant law firm Sidley Austin, the Washington Litigation Group aims to assemble a robust resistance against executive overreach. Green himself is known for his prior defense of clients implicated in the Watergate scandal and the Iran-Contra affair, lending considerable weight to the firm’s credibility in taking on politically intricate cases. His leadership sets a tone of dedication to equality under the law, associating the firm with a long tradition of rigorous legal defense against perceived injustices.
One of the notable attributes of the Washington Litigation Group is its composition. It brings together an array of skilled attorneys, many of whom have exited their retirement to lend their expertise. Nathaniel Zelinsky, coming from prestigious law firms such as Milbank and Hogan Lovells, joins the force with significant experience in both federal appeals courts and the Supreme Court. He indicated that while other legal firms are involved in similar endeavors, their group stands apart because of the remarkable number of retired professionals willing to re-enter service for the cause. This factor of returning talent is a strategic asset, contributing to the mentorship and guidance provided to less seasoned lawyers within the firm.
The firm’s mission includes active involvement in litigations concerning the unlawful dismissals of civil servants, the dissolution of federal agencies, and providing white-collar criminal defense. To strengthen its position further, the firm has also recruited James Pearce and Mary Dohrmann, two former federal prosecutors dismissed under Trump’s administration. Their background includes significant roles at the Justice Department and participation as assistant special counsels to Jack Smith, who has been investigating Trump’s actions.
During a conversation with CNN, Pearce emphasized his commitment to being a non-partisan civil servant and upholding the rule of law. He notes the variety of experiences among the attorneys, asserting that this diverse array equips the firm to tackle cases ranging from the early phases of investigations to the highest levels of jurisprudence before the Supreme Court. This diversity, alongside principles of non-partisanship articulated by Dohrmann, reinforces the firm’s commitment to legal integrity, aiming to uphold and reinforce the rule of law throughout the nation.
The Washington Litigation Group is currently representing Cathy Harris, a former chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), who was dismissed by Trump. The MSPB serves a critical function in reviewing federal employment dismissals. Although the Supreme Court has adjudicated that Trump does not need to rehire Harris during the ongoing legal dispute regarding her removal, a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., is contemplating the legitimacy of her firing as legal queries persist. This case showcases the firm’s commitment to addressing significant civil servant issues in light of executive authority.
In a press release, Tom Green expressed profound concern regarding the current condition of the rule of law in America, highlighting increased urgency for dedicated legal professionals to join the fight for justice. Stating that they have engaged some of the best attorneys from both government and the private sector, Green’s sentiment reflects a collective decision to take a stand during a time when many consider the legal framework to be under notable challenge.
Given the backdrop of their formation and objectives, the Washington Litigation Group highlights how a calculated coalition of experienced figures in law can mobilize to confront potential overreach in governance, ensuring a vigilant defense against actions perceived as contrary to the rule of law.
