The American Bar Association’s House of Delegates on Monday adopted Resolution 509, affirming that no government actor should punish or threaten lawyers, law firms, or other organizations for representing, or having represented, a client or cause disfavored by the government.

The resolution further emphasizes that the legal profession must ensure counsel remains available, especially to those who cannot afford it, and articulates support for the rights to free speech, access to courts, and petitioning the government for redress under the US Constitution.

The resolution emerges amid a backdrop of mounting concerns about a “law-firm intimidation policy” allegedly pursued by the current administration. Recently, the ABA filed an 85-page complaint in federal court, arguing that a series of executive orders and government actions—ranging from revoking security clearances to restricting federal contracts and access to buildings—have targeted firms for their political or client-related stances.

In a parallel development, more than 50 state, local, and national bar associations issued a joint statement condemning attacks on lawyers, firms, and judges for taking on causes the government disfavors. Likewise, the ABA issued its public declaration denouncing efforts that single out legal professionals for their representation choices or courtroom decisions, warning that such tactics erode judicial independence.

The resolution dovetails with broader legal community anxiety. According to Reuters, the resolution was passed on Monday by the ABA’s policy-making body in Toronto, reflecting deep unease that the rule of law will not endure if lawyers and firms are punished for fulfilling their professional duties.