The group declared its support for American legal professionals defending the rule of law
The Federation of Law Societies of Canada has criticized recent actions and rhetoric that have targeted lawyers, law firms, and judges in the US, threatening judicial independence in that nation.
The Canadian federation said in a statement that such actions undermined the foundational principles underpinning “the rule of law in healthy democracies,” risking fundamental freedoms and weakening “public confidence in democratic institutions.”
The federation pointed out that lawyers and law firms must be free to advise a member of the public without facing potential retaliation for advice that runs counter to the present government’s stand. Judges must also be able to apply the law without having to be concerned for themselves and their families.
“The independence of the bar and judiciary are the cornerstones of a free and democratic society. The Federation will continue to uphold and advocate for these fundamental values, which are essential to democracy and the fair administration of justice. It is critical for societies that uphold these values to be role models for the world,” Federation President Teresa Donnelly said in a statement.
The federation’s sentiments echo that of the American Bar Association, which also pushed back against initiatives and rhetoric initiated by current US President Donald Trump’s administration. Specifically, the ABA highlighted government officials’ attempts to impeach judges for ruling against government interests, as well as executive orders targeting law firms for their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Firms like Perkins Coie, Covington & Burling, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP were targets of executive orders that revoked their security clearances, limited their lawyers’ access to government facilities, and threatened to cut off government contracts. While Paul Weiss wound up making a deal with the White House last week to get Trump to rescind the order against it, Perkins Coie struck back against the administration with a lawsuit of its own.
The Federation of Law Societies of Canada declared its support for members of the American legal profession who continued to defend rule of law principles “in the face of unprecedented challenges.”
“The Federation values Canada’s steadfast commitment to the Rule of Law and recognizes the critical role of an independent legal profession and judiciary in safeguarding democracy,” the group said.
The Federation of Law Societies of Canada is the national association of the 14 law societies regulating Canada’s legal profession in the public interest across provinces and territories. The group serves as the law societies’ national and international voice on the legal profession’s regulation and core values.
