PERKINS COIE LLP v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Case page of PERKINS COIE LLP v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
Overview edit
Case Summary:
President Trump issued an Executive Order [1] targeting Perkins Coie, who responded by suing to have the EO ruled unconstitutional, and to enjoin any part of the government from implementing it.
Case Status:
The District of D.C. ruled in favor of Perkins Coie, blocking the EO. The DoJ has appealed that ruling to the D.C. Circuit, where the briefing schedule is ongoing.
Upcoming Events:
| Date | Summary | Court |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-01 | First round of statements due from both sides to the appellate court. | D.C. Circuit |
| 2025-08-18 | First round of dispositive motions due from both sides to the appellate court. | D.C. Circuit |
Topics Involved:
Courts Involved:
| Court Level | Court | Docket Number | Judge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Courts of Appeals | D.C. Circuit | 25-5241 | Not Available |
| Federal Trial Courts | District of D.C. | 1:25-cv-00716 | Beryl Alaine Howell |
Detailed Timeline edit
List of all events in this case:
| Date | Summary | Court |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-11 | Perkins Coie files a complaint, requesting the court "declare the Executive Order unconstitutional" and "immediately[,]... preliminarily, then permanently enjoin the implementation of the Order." SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-03-11 | Perkins Coie formally moves for a Temporary Restraining Order enjoining at least Sections 1, 3, & 5 of the Order, since they claim they are "suffering irreparable economic harm .. [and] ongoing and irreparable reputational harm," given "the Executive Order has impaired Perkins Coie's constitutional rights." SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-03-12 | After a hearing, Judge Howell grants the TRO, so the government agencies are "enjoined from implementing or enforcing Sections 1, 3, and 5" of the Executive Order. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-03-18 | Perkins Coie moves that Judge Howell clarify that the TRO applies to all agencies of the federal government, not just those named explicitly in the original complaint. She updates the TRO accordingly. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-03-21 | The Department of Justice moves that Judge Howell be disqualified because they claim she demonstrated "systematic hostility toward President Trump" in this & past cases. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-03-26 | Judge Howell denies the DoJ's motion that she be disqualified, pointing out that "although the ... motion is rife with innuendo, none of the claims put foward come close to meeting the standard for disqualification." SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-02 | Perkins Coie moves for summary judgement & permanent relief because "the Executive Order violates the First Amendment[,]... Perkins Coie's right to due process of law[,]... the constitutional right to counsel[, and] ... the separation of powers." SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-02 | The DoJ moves to dismiss the case, arguing one section of the EO at a time, that the Executive:
(1) "has a right to speak," (2) "is entitled to great deference" on security clearance review, (3) can use "the procurement power to advance social policy", (4) can direct "the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ... to review whether ... employers are violating the civil rights laws," (5) issue guidance on "the parameters of access to executive branch staff, offices, and employment." SOURCE |
District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-02 | The DoJ requests Judge Howell reconsider the TRO, arguing it cannot be broadened to apply across entire agencies, only named officials. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-03 | Judge Howell orders the DoJ incorporate any further arguments into the already-scheduled briefing plan, not file new motions. | District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-16 | Perkins Coie opposes each of the points in the DoJ's motions, arguing in the end that "whatever the scope of the President's national-security powers, they certainly do not include the power to unilaterally punish private parties with no process whatsoever." SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-16 | The DoJ argues, again section-by-section, that all of the EO's contents "act within the bounds of established Executive authority." SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-18 | The DoJ responds on the motion to dismiss. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-18 | Perkins Coie responds on the motion for preliminary injunction & summary judgement. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-04-23 | Judge Howell holds a hearing on the motion for summary judgement. | District of D.C. |
| 2025-05-02 | The District Court rules in favor of Perkins Coie, noting that "using the powers of the federal government to target lawyers for their representation of clients and avowed progressive employment policies in an overt attempt to suppress and punish certain viewpoints ... is contrary to the Constitution." SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-06-30 | The DoJ gives notice that it has appealed this decision to the D.C. Circuit, with one day to spare in the allowed window to appeal. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-07-02 | The Circuit Court sets the initial filing schedule for the case. SOURCE | D.C. Circuit |
| 2025-07-02 | The Circuit Court receives the DoJ's appeal of the District Court's ruling against the Executive Order targeting Perkins Coie. SOURCE | District of D.C. |
| 2025-08-01 | First round of statements due from both sides to the appellate court. | D.C. Circuit |
| 2025-08-18 | First round of dispositive motions due from both sides to the appellate court. | D.C. Circuit |