Justice Department Sues D.C. Bar to Shield 2 Trump Lawyers

2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 14

Wednesday’s lawsuit asks a court to block the D.C. Bar from pursuing discipline against Jeffrey Clark and senior Justice Department official Ed Martin.
The department argues bar investigators should not probe sensitive executive-branch deliberations and says government lawyers must be free to give candid legal advice without ethics scrutiny.
Jeffrey Clark is the suit’s main focus: the D.C. Bar has sought to disbar him over his effort to advance Donald Trump’s false 2020 election-fraud claims despite having no formal election role.
Ed Martin was folded into the case after the D.C. Bar filed disciplinary charges against him two months ago over his attempt to punish Georgetown University’s law school.
The filing escalates a broader clash between Trump-led Justice Department leaders and legal ethics authorities over whether federal government lawyers can be disciplined by outside bar bodies.

Does state bar oversight of federal lawyers violate the separation of powers, or is it essential?

When a lawyer's duty to the government conflicts with legal ethics, which one should prevail?

If government lawyers police their own ethics, what prevents abuse of power and ensures public accountability?