Being a lawyer requires swearing an oath to support the constitution.
The constitution has two due process clauses—the 5th and 14th amendments.
Due process is the fundamental principle of American jurisprudence; the legal profession depends on it.
All humans in the U.S. are entitled to fair proceedings before the government takes away their life, liberty, or property.
Lawyers sue the government; the act of suing the government is not political.
The first amendment is not political.
Due process is not political.
Every lawyer has a duty to reject the very premise that these principles are political.
Every lawyer has a duty to reaffirm the basic principle that the government should not punish lawyers based on the identity of their clients or their zealous, lawful, and ethical advocacy. Any lawyer who can’t agree with that isn’t a lawyer; they’re an actor in an authoritarian play.
CPJ • updated 14 May ‘25