Legal professionals from various political backgrounds are criticizing U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams for suggesting that bar associations investigate lawyers representing President Trump or the Justice Department. In an opinion released on July 17, 2026, Judge Williams referred Trump attorney Alejandro Brito to the Florida Bar and ordered that her ruling be sent to authorities reviewing existing complaints against Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. This referral is part of a case involving a settlement that protected Trump and his affiliates from certain federal tax audits.
Bar associations have the authority to suspend the licenses of lawyers, which can significantly impact their ability to practice. Christian Lee Gonzalez-Rivera, a constitutional law professor, expressed his refusal to teach that such sanctions are acceptable, stating that it undermines the legal profession's integrity. He argued that the judge's order could lead to sanctions against lawyers for presenting losing arguments in high-stakes cases.
Jeffrey Clark, a former DOJ official, warned that this trend could harm the legal profession by concentrating power among a few bar association members. He criticized the notion that bar associations should oversee the actions of high-ranking DOJ officials, suggesting it undermines the authority of the President in legal matters.
Williams's referral of Brito was based on her finding that he advanced the case in 'bad faith.' She flagged concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest involving Blanche and Woodward and directed her opinion to their respective bar associations. The complaints against Blanche include allegations of mishandling evidence related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and failing to represent the U.S. interests adequately during negotiations for a compensation fund. Woodward faces a complaint related to a conflict of interest due to his prior representation of individuals connected to the January 6 events.
Gonzalez-Rivera noted that the judge's actions could lead to a reevaluation of legal doctrines by higher courts. Clark also suggested that the timing of Williams's referral was inappropriate, coming just before Blanche's confirmation hearing for a higher position within the Justice Department.