From lawyer to target: US actions against lawyers undermine rule of law

News

As the Law Society of England and Wales welcomes the new president of the American Bar Association Michelle Behnke taking office this August, it warns that even well-established legal systems are not immune to political interference.

The global coalition for the Day of the Endangered Lawyer that represents more than 30 bar associations, legal organisations and human rights groups nominated the United States as the country of focus for 2026*.

The US has been named as the focus country following a range of actions by the American administration targeting lawyers and law firms that were known for their activity in politically sensitive, human rights and pro bono cases.

Law firms have also been the target of US government actions on their diversity and inclusion practices.

The American Bar Association denounced the recent escalation in harassment and threats directed at lawyers, stating that the administration’s efforts “interfere with fair and impartial courts, the right to counsel and due process, and the freedoms of speech and association in our country**.”

Law Society of England and Wales president Richard Atkinson said: “The Day of the Endangered Lawyer reminds us that there are many lawyers around the world who are in a constant battle to do their job and uphold access to justice.

“Lawyers must be able to carry out their professional duties independently and without fear of reprisals.

“The legal profession upholds democracy and the rule of law – and when they are threatened, it is our duty to ensure that justice prevails.

“I want to congratulate and welcome the new president of the American Bar Association Michele Behnke and reassure her that we stand by our colleagues in the US.

“We will continue to support and join in speaking out against any illegitimate actions against lawyers anywhere in the world including America.”

Notes to editors

*The Day of the Endangered Lawyer takes place annually on 24 January and acts as a reminder that lawyers around the world put their lives at risk every day to practice and defend the rule of law.

Learn more about the Day of the Endangered Lawyer, including a soon-to-be published detailed report and several events.

**The American Bar Association’s statement.

Read the full statement on the targeting of legal professionals by the US government (PDF 275 KB).

The Law Society’s Lawyers at Risk programme aims to support legal professionals worldwide who face human rights violations because of their work and raise awareness of the risks they face.