A prominent litigator who has spent his career fighting for conservative issues is now taking on the Trump administration over its attacks on law firms.
Paul Clement on Friday filed a lawsuit against Trump, challenging the president’s executive order against WilmerHale. The firm is among five that Trump has targeted over the last month for their ties to his perceived opponents and pro bono work he says undermines US interests.
“This lawsuit is absolutely critical to vindicating the First Amendment, our adversarial system of justice, and the rule of law,” Clement said in a statement.
The former Solicitor General, who was on Trump’s list of potential picks for Supreme Court seats during the president’s first term, has argued more than 100 cases before the country’s highest court. He convinced the court last year to roll back federal agencies’ rulemaking power and in 2022 to strike down strict gun restrictions in New York. Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows brought in Clement in 2024 in his fight against charges related to the 2020 election in Georgia.
“Paul is the perfect fit for this case,” said Deepak Gupta, an appellate lawyer and the founding partner of Gupta Wessler. “He’s not only a card-carrying conservative and a phenomenally skilled advocate; he’s also shown throughout his career that he has a steadfast commitment to lawyers’ obligation to zealously represent unpopular clients.”
WilmerHale turned to Clement as other firms are looking to strike a deal with the White House instead of fighting in court. Wall Street’s Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom pledged to provide $100 million in pro bono work for Trump administration priorities, the president said Friday. Paul Weiss, another leading New York firm, agreed earlier this month to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services and conduct and independent review of its DEI policies in exchange for Trump withdrawing an order against the firm.
Jenner & Block also filed a lawsuit on Friday against the Trump administration over a similar order against the firm, tapping Cooley for its representation in the case.
Clement previously left partner roles at two major firms over disagreements about conservative legal causes. He departed King & Spalding after the firm withdrew as counsel for the US House of Representatives, which had argued to preserve a federal law that allowed states to refuse same-sex marriage. He exited Kirkland & Ellis after the firm said it would not longer take gun rights cases.
“In the past, when people have tried to pressure Paul to abandon a commitment to a client, he’s shown that he’s willing to stand up for his principles,” Gupta said. “That’s what the American legal profession needs to do at this dangerous moment—we need to unite to defend the rule of law—not capitulate or compromise our principles for short-term convenience.”