The Perkins Coie Trump lawsuit injunction is a major federal court dispute over President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie LLP.
President Trump signed Executive Order 14230, “Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP,” on March 6, 2025. The order directed federal agencies to take a series of actions against the law firm, including restrictions involving government contracts, security clearances, access to federal buildings, and communications with federal officials.
Perkins Coie challenged the executive order in federal court just days later.
On March 12, 2025, U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell issued a temporary restraining order blocking key parts of Trump’s executive order. The court later extended that protection through final judgment.
On May 2, 2025, Judge Howell went further and granted Perkins Coie’s motion for summary judgment. She declared Executive Order 14230 unlawful because it violated the First, Fifth and Sixth Amendments and permanently enjoined the government from enforcing it against Perkins Coie.
The Trump administration appealed the ruling. The case is now part of a consolidated group of appeals involving executive orders targeting four law firms. The D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments on May 14, 2026, but has not yet issued its final decision.
Perkins Coie Trump Lawsuit Injunction: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Plaintiff | Perkins Coie LLP |
| Main defendants | U.S. Department of Justice and other federal officials |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Executive order | Executive Order 14230 |
| Executive order date | March 6, 2025 |
| Lawsuit filed | March 11, 2025 |
| District judge | Beryl A. Howell |
| Temporary restraining order | March 12, 2025 |
| Permanent injunction | May 2, 2025 |
| District court result | Perkins Coie won |
| Appeals court | U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit |
| Appeal number | 25-5241 |
| Oral arguments | May 14, 2026 |
| Current status | Appeal pending |
What Is the Perkins Coie Trump Lawsuit About?
The lawsuit began after Trump issued an executive order specifically targeting Perkins Coie.
The administration’s order cited concerns about the firm’s activities, including its representation of clients in politically significant matters and its employment practices.
Perkins Coie argued that the order was not simply a legitimate exercise of presidential authority.
The firm alleged that the administration was using federal power to punish it because of its legal representation, political associations and viewpoints.
The case therefore became a constitutional dispute over the limits of presidential power.
At the heart of the lawsuit was the question of whether a president can use the federal government to impose serious restrictions on a private law firm because of the clients it represents and the legal work it performs.
What Was Trump’s Executive Order Against Perkins Coie?
Trump signed Executive Order 14230 on March 6, 2025.
The order was titled “Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP.”
It directed federal agencies to take several actions involving the firm.
Among other things, the order sought restrictions concerning:
- Government contracts involving Perkins Coie
- Security clearances
- Access to federal government buildings
- Government officials’ interactions with the firm
- Other federal relationships involving Perkins Coie
The administration presented the order as addressing risks it associated with the firm.
Perkins Coie challenged those actions in federal court.
Why Did Perkins Coie Sue Trump?
Perkins Coie argued that the executive order violated constitutional protections.
One of its central arguments involved the First Amendment.
The firm argued that the government was retaliating against it because of protected activities, including its legal representation and viewpoints.
The lawsuit also raised issues under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments.
The firm asked the court to stop the government from enforcing the executive order and to declare the order unlawful.
When Did Perkins Coie File the Lawsuit?
Perkins Coie filed its complaint on March 11, 2025, only five days after Trump signed the executive order.
The firm also requested emergency relief because it argued that the order was already causing immediate harm.
That request led to one of the most important early developments in the case.
What Was the Perkins Coie Temporary Injunction?
On March 12, 2025, Judge Beryl Howell held a hearing and issued a temporary restraining order.
The order blocked enforcement of key portions of Trump’s executive order while the court considered the larger legal dispute.
The court’s early intervention was significant because the Trump administration’s actions would otherwise have taken effect while the lawsuit was still being litigated.
Judge Howell later extended the injunction through final judgment on March 14, 2025.
This is why searches for “Perkins Coie Trump lawsuit injunction” often refer to both the initial March injunction and the later permanent injunction.
What Did the Permanent Injunction Do?
The biggest ruling came on May 2, 2025.
Judge Howell granted Perkins Coie’s motion for summary judgment and denied the government’s motion to dismiss.
She declared Executive Order 14230 unlawful, null and void because she found that it violated the First, Fifth and Sixth Amendments.
The court also issued permanent injunctive relief preventing the government from enforcing the challenged order against Perkins Coie.
This was much stronger than the initial temporary restraining order.
A temporary restraining order provides short-term protection while litigation continues.
A permanent injunction follows a decision on the merits and can continue unless changed or overturned on appeal.
Why Did Judge Howell Block Trump’s Executive Order?
Judge Howell concluded that the executive order unlawfully targeted Perkins Coie.
Her May 2 decision found constitutional problems involving several provisions of the order.
The court’s reasoning included the First Amendment and the government’s alleged retaliation against the firm based on protected activities.
The decision also addressed Fifth and Sixth Amendment issues.
Judge Howell concluded that the government’s actions could not stand under the Constitution.
CBS News reported that the judge described the order as an attempt to use federal power against lawyers for their representation of clients and certain viewpoints.
What First Amendment Issue Was Involved?
The First Amendment was one of the central issues in the case.
The government argued that it could take actions concerning federal contracts, security clearances and government access.
Perkins Coie argued that the order was targeted retaliation.
The legal question was therefore not simply whether the government could regulate its own contracts.
It was whether the government could use those powers as a punishment for constitutionally protected conduct or viewpoints.
Judge Howell sided with Perkins Coie.
She concluded that the order violated First Amendment protections.
What About the Fifth Amendment?
The Fifth Amendment was also part of the court’s decision.
The Fifth Amendment includes due-process protections.
Perkins Coie argued that the executive order imposed serious consequences without adequate legal process.
The court found constitutional problems with the government’s approach and included the Fifth Amendment among the constitutional provisions violated by the order.
Why Was the Sixth Amendment Mentioned?
The Sixth Amendment protects important rights in criminal prosecutions, including the right to counsel.
The court’s decision included the Sixth Amendment among the constitutional provisions violated by the executive order.
The case therefore involved more than a straightforward dispute about government contracts.
It raised broader questions about the government’s ability to interfere with the relationship between lawyers and their clients.
Did Perkins Coie Win the Lawsuit?
Yes, at the district court level.
Judge Howell granted Perkins Coie’s motion for summary judgment and permanently blocked enforcement of Executive Order 14230 against the firm.
She also declared the executive order unlawful and null and void.
However, that was not the end of the litigation.
The Trump administration appealed the decision to the D.C. Circuit.
Did Trump Appeal the Perkins Coie Injunction?
Yes.
The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal on June 30, 2025.
The appeal was docketed in the D.C. Circuit as Case No. 25-5241.
The administration argued that the district court had gone too far in restricting presidential authority.
The government maintained that the president has significant constitutional authority in areas involving national security and federal operations.
Perkins Coie and the other targeted law firms disputed that argument.
What Happened to the Appeal?
The Perkins Coie appeal eventually became part of a consolidated group of cases.
The D.C. Circuit consolidated appeals involving four law firms:
- Perkins Coie
- Jenner & Block
- WilmerHale
- Susman Godfrey
The court scheduled the cases for oral argument before the same panel.
On May 14, 2026, the D.C. Circuit heard arguments in the consolidated law-firm cases. The court’s own public advisory confirms that Perkins Coie LLP v. DOJ was among the cases argued that day.
What Happened at the May 2026 Appeals Hearing?
The May 2026 hearing focused on major questions involving presidential authority.
The government argued that lower courts had improperly interfered with presidential powers.
The law firms argued that Trump’s executive orders were unconstitutional retaliation.
One important issue involved the government’s ability to restrict security clearances and other federal relationships.
The judges questioned the administration’s arguments about the scope of presidential authority.
Reuters reported that the D.C. Circuit panel appeared skeptical of parts of the administration’s position, although questions from judges should not be treated as a prediction of the final outcome.
Has the D.C. Circuit Ruled on Perkins Coie Yet?
No final appellate ruling has been issued in the latest available information.
The D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments on May 14, 2026.
The district court’s permanent injunction remains the key ruling in the case while the appeal is pending.
Therefore, it would be incorrect to say that the appeals court has overturned Judge Howell’s decision.
The final appellate ruling could potentially uphold, modify or reverse the district court judgment.
Is the Perkins Coie Injunction Still in Effect?
The district court issued a permanent injunction, and the D.C. Circuit has not yet issued a final decision overturning that judgment.
Accordingly, the executive order remains blocked as to Perkins Coie while the appeal continues.
The injunction is specifically important to Perkins Coie.
Judge Howell later clarified that the permanent injunction concerning one provision applied to Perkins Coie, rather than automatically extending to every law firm or the legal profession generally.
Is Perkins Coie the Same as WilmerHale?
No.
This is important for SEO as well as legal accuracy.
Perkins Coie and WilmerHale are separate law firms.
Trump issued separate executive orders against them, and each firm filed its own lawsuit.
However, the cases are closely related because the administration used similar executive-order strategies against several law firms.
The D.C. Circuit later consolidated the appeals for proceedings because of the overlapping legal issues.
Therefore:
“Perkins Coie Trump lawsuit injunction” should remain a separate article from “Trump vs WilmerHale lawsuit.”
Is Perkins Coie a Class Action Lawsuit?
No.
The Perkins Coie case is not a class-action lawsuit.
Perkins Coie LLP is the plaintiff challenging the government’s executive order.
The lawsuit does not create a public class of people who can register for compensation.
Can People Join the Perkins Coie Lawsuit?
No.
There is no general public sign-up process.
This is a legal challenge brought by Perkins Coie against the federal government.
Someone searching for “Perkins Coie lawsuit sign up” should not assume that this case works like a consumer class action.
Is There a Perkins Coie Lawsuit Settlement?
No settlement has ended the litigation.
The district court ruled in Perkins Coie’s favor, and the government appealed.
The appeal remains pending before the D.C. Circuit.
The law firm therefore continues to defend the district court’s judgment on appeal.
Is There a Perkins Coie Lawsuit Payout?
There is no general public payout.
This is not a consumer compensation case.
The main relief sought and obtained at the district court level involved stopping enforcement of the executive order and declaring it unlawful.
Therefore, people should not expect a standard lawsuit settlement check from this case.
Why Is the Perkins Coie Case Important?
The case is significant because it raises broader questions about presidential power.
If the government could impose restrictions on law firms because of their clients or legal work, it could potentially affect how attorneys choose clients and how clients choose lawyers.
The case also raises questions about:
- First Amendment protections
- Presidential authority
- Government contracts
- Security clearances
- Due process
- Attorney-client relationships
- Separation of powers
- Limits on executive orders
The outcome could therefore affect more than Perkins Coie.
Could the Case Reach the Supreme Court?
Potentially.
The D.C. Circuit’s eventual decision could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
However, that does not mean the Supreme Court will necessarily hear the case.
The Supreme Court decides which cases to review.
If the D.C. Circuit ruling creates a significant legal conflict or raises an important constitutional question, the parties could seek Supreme Court review.
Perkins Coie Trump Lawsuit Timeline
| Date | Event |
| March 6, 2025 | Trump signed Executive Order 14230 targeting Perkins Coie |
| March 11, 2025 | Perkins Coie filed its lawsuit and sought emergency relief |
| March 12, 2025 | Judge Howell issued a temporary restraining order |
| March 14, 2025 | Injunction was extended through final judgment |
| March 21, 2025 | Government sought Judge Howell’s disqualification |
| March 26, 2025 | Judge Howell denied the disqualification request |
| May 2, 2025 | Judge Howell granted Perkins Coie’s summary judgment motion and issued a permanent injunction |
| June 30, 2025 | DOJ filed its appeal |
| February 6, 2026 | D.C. Circuit consolidated the four law-firm appeals |
| May 14, 2026 | D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments |
| Latest status | Appeal pending |
The case history and dates are documented in Perkins Coie’s litigation record and the federal appellate court’s public notices.
Perkins Coie Trump Lawsuit Injunction FAQs
What is the Perkins Coie Trump lawsuit?
It is a federal lawsuit challenging President Trump’s Executive Order 14230, which targeted Perkins Coie and directed federal agencies to take various actions against the firm.
What was the Perkins Coie injunction?
Judge Beryl Howell first issued a temporary restraining order on March 12, 2025. She later issued a permanent injunction on May 2, 2025, blocking enforcement of the executive order against Perkins Coie.
Did Perkins Coie win against Trump?
Perkins Coie won at the federal district court level. Judge Howell declared the executive order unlawful and permanently enjoined its enforcement.
Did Trump appeal the decision?
Yes. The Justice Department appealed to the D.C. Circuit.
Has the appeals court ruled?
No final appellate decision has been issued in the latest available information. The D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments on May 14, 2026.
Is the Perkins Coie injunction still active?
The district court’s permanent injunction remains important while the appeal is pending. The D.C. Circuit has not issued a final decision overturning it.
Is this a class-action lawsuit?
No. It is not a class action.
Can people join the Perkins Coie lawsuit?
No. There is no public sign-up process.
Is there a Perkins Coie lawsuit settlement?
No reported settlement has ended the case.
Is there a Perkins Coie lawsuit payout?
No general public payout is associated with this case.
Is Perkins Coie the same as WilmerHale?
No. They are separate law firms and separate lawsuits, although their appeals are being handled together because of overlapping legal issues.
Bottom Line
The Perkins Coie Trump lawsuit injunction centers on Executive Order 14230, which President Donald Trump signed on March 6, 2025.
Perkins Coie challenged the order in federal court and quickly obtained emergency protection. On March 12, Judge Beryl Howell issued a temporary restraining order, which was extended through final judgment.
The biggest victory came on May 2, 2025, when Judge Howell granted Perkins Coie’s summary judgment motion, declared the executive order unlawful because it violated the First, Fifth and Sixth Amendments, and permanently blocked the government from enforcing the order against the firm.
The Trump administration appealed. The D.C. Circuit later consolidated the Perkins Coie appeal with related cases involving Jenner & Block, WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey.
The appeals court heard oral arguments on May 14, 2026. As of the latest available information, the D.C. Circuit has not issued its final ruling.
So the most accurate current summary is:
Perkins Coie won a permanent injunction against Trump’s executive order at the district court level, but the Trump administration’s appeal remains pending before the D.C. Circuit.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Court cases can involve disputed claims and legal arguments, and appellate proceedings can change the status of an earlier ruling. Readers should consult official court records or a qualified U.S. attorney for advice regarding a specific legal matter.