19 Mar PRESS RELEASE: Impartiality of the Legal System Targeted: A Threat to the Rule of Law

Brussels, 19 March 2025

The European Company Lawyers Association (ECLA), representing the interests of the approx. 160.000 in-house legal professionals across Europe, expresses deep concern over recent executive orders by the current U.S. administration targeting law firms based on their client representations. These actions include the revocation of security clearances and the termination of federal contracts for law firms that represent parties against the government.

Furthermore, ECLA sides with the American Bar Association (ABA) and the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in criticizing recent efforts to intimidate judges, by calling for the impeachment of judges simply because they do not rule as the government desires.

Law firms, legal professionals and judges play a vital role in ensuring access to justice and upholding the integrity of legal systems. The ability of lawyers to represent clients – regardless of political affiliations – and judges to make rulings based on their oaths to only follow the law, without fear of government retaliation is a cornerstone of democratic societies.

These unprecedented measures against law firms and judges pose a significant threat to the fundamental principles of legal independence, impartiality, public trust, attorney-client privilege, access to justice, the rule of law, and democratic legal systems.

ECLA stands in solidarity with the broader legal community in denouncing any interference that compromises the independence of legal practitioners and therefore infringes the democratic principle of the separation of powers. At a time when the global legal framework faces increasing pressures, it is crucial that we collectively uphold the core values of justice, fairness, and autonomy in jurisprudence. ECLA remains committed to safeguarding these principles and supporting all efforts to preserve the integrity of the legal profession and the rule of law.

For further inquiries, please contact:
Stephanie Fougou (President) / Marcus M. Schmitt (General Manager)
European Company Lawyers Association (ECLA)
www.ecla.eu
info@ecla.eu

To download the press release as a .pdf file, please click here.