The MeidasTouch podcast, which reaches more than 5 million subscribers on YouTube, invited partners John Keker and Elliot Peters to talk about the firm’s statement calling on lawyers to defend the legal system against Trump’s executive directives.
Host Ben Meiselas asked Keker and Peters why the firm opposed President Trump’s directive targeting lawyers and law firms that represent clients in opposition to the government.
Keker responded: “We were appalled at the idea that the president has instructed the Attorney General to come after lawyers that try to represent people in pro bono situations, in asylum situations, in situations where people need lawyers against the government.”
Keker added that in deciding to make a statement, they were aware that some big law firms were having trouble rallying a response to the executive actions and that the partners at Keker, Van Nest & Peters hoped issuing a statement would rally a critical mass of lawyers to stand up against Trump’s attack on lawyers.
Peters added that the firm’s statement has received overwhelming support from lawyers, clients and younger lawyers in the firm.
“I’m just amazed really that our statement, which seems so basic to us, is viewed as unusual or really so courageous. We are just in essence stating what all lawyers in America took an oath to do when they became members of the bar of their state, which is represent clients zealously, vigorously and stand to uphold the law,” Peters said.
Watch the full MeidasTouch podcast on YouTube.