April 3, 2026 — Leadership Now Project, with the support of pro bono counsel Friedman Kaplan Seiler Adelman & Robbins LLP, has filed an amicus curiae brief in the appeal concerning the President’s retaliatory Executive Orders against law firms (the “Orders”), Perkins Coie v. U.S. Department of Justice and related cases (Nos. 25-5241, 25-5265, 25-5277, 25-5310). Leadership Now’s brief argues that the Orders targeting law firms for their advocacy and choice of clients threaten not just those firms, but every business that depends on independent legal counsel.

"The government is punishing law firms for representing their clients. That should alarm every business in America," says Daniella Ballou-Aares, CEO, Leadership Now Project. "American companies cannot compete in an environment where government retaliation hangs over every decision."

The brief argues that the Orders harm the business community by:

Undermining the right to counsel. Companies invest heavily in law firm relationships and often depend on a limited number of firms with specialized expertise. The Orders force businesses to terminate those relationships or face government punishment, while pressuring law firms to temper their advocacy out of fear of retaliation.
Coercing government contractors. The Orders require all government contractors to disclose any business they do with the targeted firms, even if entirely unrelated to their government work — leveraging $755 billion in annual federal contracts to drive a wedge between companies and their chosen counsel.
Chilling free expression. The Orders hang over every investment, hiring, policy, and donation decision, making clear that the wrong choice may invite crippling retaliation. Such a culture of silence and fear is fundamentally at odds with the competition, creativity, and risk taking that drive American business.
Threatening the rule of law. The Orders deter lawyers from challenging government action, endangering the stable, accessible court system that is essential to American commerce.

Leadership Now is the first business-leader organization to file an amicus brief in these cases. Four federal district judges have already found the Orders unconstitutional. The brief urges the Court of Appeals to affirm those decisions.

Oral argument is scheduled for May 14, 2026.

Read the full amicus brief here.