Perkins Coie Wins Legal Battle Against Trump Administration Order

Viktoria Ivanova

4 min read

Post on May 05, 2025

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The Contested Trump Administration Order

The legal challenge centered around Executive Order 13807, "Strengthening National Security Through Information and Communications Technology," issued on May 15, 2018. This order aimed to restrict the use of certain telecommunications equipment and services deemed to pose national security risks, primarily targeting companies like Huawei and ZTE.

Key aspects of the order that were deemed controversial included:

• Vague and Overly Broad Language: The order lacked precise definitions and criteria, leading to concerns about its arbitrary application and potential for abuse.
• Unconstitutional Overreach: Critics argued the order exceeded the President's executive authority, infringing upon established legal frameworks governing procurement and trade.
• Lack of Due Process: The order lacked mechanisms for affected companies to challenge designations or mitigate the impacts of restrictions.

Perkins Coie and their clients raised several specific objections, including:

• Violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.
• Unconstitutional overreach of executive power, violating principles of separation of powers.
• Lack of due process for affected businesses.
• Adverse impact on competition and innovation in the telecommunications sector.

Perkins Coie's Legal Strategy and Arguments

Perkins Coie employed a multi-pronged legal strategy, focusing on demonstrating the order's illegality on both procedural and substantive grounds. Their arguments centered on the order's lack of clear standards, its arbitrary application, and its violation of due process rights.

Key legal arguments presented by Perkins Coie included:

• The order violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by failing to provide adequate notice and opportunity for comment.
• The order's broad language lacked the specificity required for a valid government action.
• The order’s implementation infringed upon businesses' rights to due process.

The firm's legal battle unfolded in several phases:

• Filing the Lawsuit: Perkins Coie filed a lawsuit on behalf of their client(s) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, arguing the order was unlawful.
• Discovery Process: The legal team engaged in extensive discovery, gathering evidence to support their claims.
• Court Hearings and Arguments: Perkins Coie presented oral arguments before the court, presenting evidence and expert testimony.
• Judge's Ruling: The court ruled in favor of Perkins Coie and their clients, finding the executive order to be unlawful.

Key Players and Individuals Involved

The case involved several key players. On behalf of Perkins Coie, [Insert Names of Lead Attorneys] led the legal team. [Insert Name of Judge] of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia presided over the case. The client(s) represented by Perkins Coie were [Insert Client Name(s) – protect confidentiality if needed]. The Trump administration's legal team was led by [Insert Names if publicly available].

The Court's Decision and its Implications

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a ruling in favor of Perkins Coie's client(s), declaring the relevant portions of Executive Order 13807 to be unlawful. The court found the order to be procedurally flawed and to exceed the executive branch's authority.

The court's reasoning highlighted the order's lack of clear standards and its failure to comply with the Administrative Procedure Act. This decision set a significant legal precedent.

The implications of this victory are far-reaching:

• Legal Precedent Set: The ruling establishes a precedent for challenging similarly vague and overreaching executive orders.
• Impact on Future Legal Challenges: It provides a roadmap for future legal battles against executive overreach.
• Effect on Affected Parties: It provides relief to businesses affected by the original order.
• Potential for Appeals: While a victory for Perkins Coie, the possibility of an appeal remains.

Conclusion

Perkins Coie's successful legal challenge against the Trump Administration order marks a significant victory, establishing a powerful precedent for future challenges to potentially overreaching executive actions. The firm's strategic legal arguments and compelling evidence secured a favorable ruling, highlighting their expertise in complex litigation and administrative law challenges.

Call to Action: Need expert legal representation to challenge an unfair administrative order? Contact Perkins Coie today to discuss your options and learn how their experience in handling high-stakes legal battles can benefit you. Don't let an unjust administrative order impact your rights – explore your options with leading legal experts. Learn more about Perkins Coie's expertise in challenging administrative orders on their website [insert website link].