On April 3, 2026, the College of Commercial Arbitrators (CCA) filed an amicus curiae brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, addressing issues central to the rule of law and the independence of legal representation.
The brief was submitted in connection with ongoing litigation involving several major law firms and executive orders affecting their ability to represent certain clients. In its filing, the College emphasizes a foundational principle of the legal system: that lawyers must be able to represent clients without fear of government retaliation. The issues raised extend beyond the immediate dispute and carry broader implications for the integrity of legal processes and dispute resolution systems.
“The College of Commercial Arbitrators filed this brief to underscore a fundamental principle of our legal system: that lawyers must be able to represent clients without fear of government retaliation,” said Stephen S. Strick, President of the College of Commercial Arbitrators. “The issues raised in this case go beyond any single dispute and speak directly to the integrity of the legal process and the rule of law. As an organization committed to fairness and neutrality in dispute resolution, we believe it is important to reinforce those principles. Arbitration, as part of the broader legal ecosystem, depends on adherence to the rule of law.”
As the foremost organization of commercial arbitrators, the CCA’s participation reflects the importance of these principles to both the legal and arbitration communities.
The filing has already received media attention, including coverage in Law360, underscoring the broader significance of the issues and the College’s perspective.
Read the full amicus brief here.
Read Law360 coverage: Trump Orders Could Chill US Arbitration, Group Warns – Law360
Media inquiries: Journalists interested in speaking with a representative of the College may submit a request via our media inquiry form here: Media Requests – College of Commercial Arbitrators