Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on April 7 that he is leading a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing a comment letter against a proposed Department of Justice (DOJ) rule that would limit state bar disciplinary proceedings involving DOJ attorneys.
The proposal could allow the Justice Department to request that state bar organizations pause investigations or disciplinary actions concerning its attorneys. If states do not comply, they may face unspecified retaliatory measures from the federal government. This has raised concerns among state officials about maintaining ethical standards and accountability for federal lawyers.
“In Minnesota, we have seen DOJ attorneys resign en masse and we have seen orders from our Chief Judge noting the frequency with which the federal government has violated court orders,” said Attorney General Ellison. “Now more than ever, it is important for DOJ attorneys to know they are held to the same ethical and professional standards as any other attorneys, and will not be insulated or immunized based on political loyalties. The last thing in the world any member of the Trump regime needs is protections from the consequences of unethical behavior.”
Historically, states have overseen licensing and regulation of lawyers since the founding of the nation. Federal law requires that DOJ attorneys adhere to state laws and rules just like other legal professionals within those states. The coalition’s letter aims to ensure this standard remains intact by challenging what they see as an attempt by DOJ to bypass established processes.
Alongside Ellison, attorneys general from jurisdictions including the District of Columbia, Colorado, New Jersey, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington signed onto this effort.
