by Some large law firms have complied with President Trump’s executive orders aimed at punishing them, while others are hesitant to take on pro bono cases that would put them at war with the administration.
However, they soon discovered that they did not have to rely on Big Law as opponents of the White House’s policies banded together to challenge Mr. Trump in court on a wide variety of acts and policies. Rather, a vast number of independent practitioners, former government litigators, and small law firms volunteered their time to oppose the administration’s plans.
“I don’t know if the administration knew how many little guys are out there,” said Michael H. Ansell, a Morristown, New Jersey, solo practitioner who earlier this year joined the Pro Bono Litigation Corps, which was recently established by the nonprofit legal organization Lawyers for Good Government. He responded to the nonprofit’s request for attorneys who are prepared to devote at least 20 hours a week to a forthcoming case. Over 80 people offered their services.
Mr. Trump targeted large law firms whose previous work or clients he disapproved of earlier this year with a barrage of executive orders and subliminal threats. Some of the firms quickly agreed to settle, agreeing to direct approximately $1 billion in pro bono work toward the administration’s preferred causes, while others decided to challenge the orders and have so far won in court. Even some of the people who opposed Mr. Trump have been cautious about inciting his wrath by taking on issues that are critical of the administration.
However, attorneys like Mr. Ansell have been keen to get involved. He assisted in interviewing plaintiffs in a case against the Environmental Protection Agency that was filed late last month in the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia. The cities of Springfield, Massachusetts, San Francisco, and Sacramento, along with about 20 community, environmental, and tribal organizations, are suing to recover funds they were given but lost when the E.P.A. ended its Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grants program.
“I don’t have to worry about losing any big-time government contractor clients because Mr. Ansell usually handles small business disputes,” he added.
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