DOJ Appeals Ruling for Jenner & Block in Trump Big Law Battle

The Trump administration’s court battle with Andrew Weissmann’s former law firm is moving to a DC appeals court.

The Justice Department on Monday asked the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to review a federal judge’s order that struck down President Trump’s directive against Jenner & Block, according to a notice of appeal filed by Justice Department lawyer Richard Lawson.

Trump’s directive against Jenner & Block cited the firm’s previous employment of Andrew Weissmann, a former partner who worked on special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Judge John D. Bates of the US District Court for the District of Columbia found Trump’s March 25 order against the firm violated its First Amendment rights by retaliating against Jenner for its work in court and ties to lawyers the president perceives as enemies.

Jenner was one of four Big Law firms targeted by President Trump that won court challenges against the president’s executive orders. Trump has targeted Big Law firms with connections to perceived political enemies with orders that sought to revoke their lawyer’s security clearances, cancel their clients’ federal contracts, and bar their personnel from entering federal buildings.

In a statement, a Jenner representative said it looks forward to reaffirming the federal judge’s ruling in the appeals process.

“The district court correctly declared that Jenner’s clients have a right to independent counsel and that the firm’s right to represent clients vigorously and without compromise is sacred. We look forward to confirming this on appeal. We will continue doing what we do best: fearlessly representing our clients under all circumstances,” the rep said.

The Justice Department’s appeal in the Jenner case follows on the heels of its appeal in a similar case involving Perkins Coie. DOJ lawyers indicated in the Susman Godfrey litigation that they are pursuing avenues of appeal.

Jenner hired a legal team at Cooley to litigate their case against the Trump administration in federal court.

The case is JENNER & BLOCK LLP v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE et al, D.D.C., 1:25-cv-00916, 7/21/25