ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Cummings

Scott Cummings is the Robert Henigson Professor of Legal Ethics at the UCLA School of Law, Guggenheim Fellow, and Director of the Program on Legal Ethics and the Profession.

POSTS BY Scott Cummings

26 March 2025

Scott Cummings

Stopping Autocratic Legalism in America – Before It Is Too Late

President Donald Trump’s recent speech to the Department of Justice was meant as a declaration of war against lawyers. His words made clear that the most effective way to consolidate autocracy is by systematically dismantling the independent centers of power that support a healthy democracy, including the independent public prosecutor. As the Executive Orders targeting law firms underscore: the entire legal profession is next. This is no coincidence. Continue reading >>