A new executive order—Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court—claims that too many lawyers are engaged in “grossly unethical misconduct.” Accordingly, the President directs the Attorney General to “seek sanctions against attorneys and law firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States or in matters before executive departments and agencies of the United States.” Importantly, the order authorizes the Attorney General to recommend to the President additional steps to address misconduct, including reassessment of an attorney’s security clearances or termination of any federal contract for which the attorney or firm has been hired to perform services.
