AG Holder Fights Back Against Critics of Guantanamo Lawyers

Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. has remained publicly silent in recent weeks as some conservatives hammered him on the loyalty of Justice Department lawyers who in private practice worked on Guantanamo Bay detainee matters.

Holder broke that silence today, telling a group of pro bono lawyers at a conference in Washington that attorneys who advocate for unpopular clients and matters "do not deserve to have their own values questioned."

Holder, however, did not specifically bring up the recent criticism from the conservative group Keep America Safe, which earlier this month produced a video that questioned the allegiance of a group of Justice attorneys. The video dubbed the DOJ lawyers the “Al Qaeda Seven.” The video was a response to the department’s refusal to name the lawyers—names that Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) asked Holder to provide back in November at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

Holder, addressing a conference of the Pro Bono Institute, said today that lawyers volunteer their services to protect the integrity and fairness of the justice system. He was twice interrupted by applause.

“This is why lawyers who accept our professional responsibility to protect the rule of law, the right to counsel, and access to our courts—even when this requires defending unpopular positions or clients—deserve the praise and gratitude of all Americans,” Holder said in prepared remarks. Holder called the attorneys “patriots.” He did not mention Guantanamo Bay litigation.

The remarks mirror what Holder said in November at his last appearance on Capitol Hill for a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. He responded to Grassley’s request for information, saying that Justice lawyers involved in detainee litigation know and understand their ethical obligations. Holder called the lawyers "fine public servants who have sacrificed a great deal to work in the department."

Today, Holder trumpeted the department’s launch of its Access to Justice Initiative, led by Harvard Law Professor Larry Tribe, who attended the conference in Washington. The initiative, Holder said, is a permanent effort to provide greater access to justice and to advocate for fairness in the justice system.

The Pro Bono Institute today awarded Holder the group’s Chesterfield Smith Award, named in honor of a late founding partner of Holland & Knight. Holder said Smith was a pioneer in transforming how the private bar views pro bono service.

Comments

[Jeffrey Mc.]

In further statement to legal representation, The alternative to providing legal counsel to anyone in need in our courts is time honored,.
Anyone who thinks this is a traitorous action should look to the history books,in particular to the Dredd (spelling?) Scott case, or the more recent horrendous handling of the legal rights of Japanese people during the days of W.W. II. These actions were dictated by prejudicial attitudes of the day.
In the case of the Japanese people living here, Many of whom were legal citizens, legal counsel was all but totally denied or at the very least suspended.
So I say to these lawyers who are following the dictates of the constitution hold your heads up and be proud that you are following reasons that this particular right was enacted by the founding fathers.
One of the acts that makes this country what is usually is, is that even though they are enemies of ours, we still provide them with the right of an open trial with a competent attorney.
Thank you for letting me shoot of my mouth.

[Jeffrey Mc.]

It is quite understandable that prejudicial
attitudes dictate how people react to the fact that non- citizens are given the right to legal representation in court cases.
Lets remember that when this civil right was enacted the people responsible for it had spent many years of not having this particular right.
I fortunately was born in this country, thanks to the sacrifices of my parents who went through the long immigration requirements to enter.
I and They would applaud the Government for upholding this legal position.
I feel that it upholds the tradition and legal process to comply with it. Even if it means that violent enemies are given competent and ardent legal representation in a open court of law. The lawyers involved are not traitors they are officers of the court performing their legal obligations to uphold the law to anyone in need of them.

[alan marks]

One lawyer protecting his own kind ...the reality is we have too many lawyers and not enough of those who create and produce wealth or meaningful or artistic work. The lawyers are leeches on others efforts they make nothing,accomplish nothing.
Offering legal advice to those people who want to kill this society and truly innocent people shows just how much they will do to make $. All the rhetoric aside they bill for their hours if they are so dedicated DON'T make the taxpayers pay for it.