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Firm hired to defend DOMA in court calls it quits
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| Contributor | Brandonius Maximus |
| Last Edited | Brandonius Maximus Apr 25, 2011 11:49am |
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| Category | News |
| Author | Shawna Thomas and Carrie Dann |
| News Date | Monday, April 25, 2011 05:00:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | The law firm hired by the House of Representatives to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court has decided it will drop its defense of the federal statute, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
The firm, King and Spalding, had faced protests from gay rights groups after its contract with the House Administration Committee and General Counsel - along with its attached price tag of up to $500,000 -- was reported. The Human Rights Campaign announced a national campaign last week to urge the group to withdraw from the agreement.
The firm had agreed to work on behalf of the GOP-led House after the Obama administration announced earlier this year that the Department of Justice would no longer defend the law, which it says is unconstitutional.
Paul Clement, a former Solicitor General under President George W. Bush and the lead lawyer on the legal team hired to defend DOMA in court, has also resigned from King and Spalding.
In his resignation letter, Clement wrote that his decision was a result of his "firmly-held belief that a representation should not be abandoned because the client's legal position is extremely unpopular in certain quarters."
Clement has joined a new firm, Bancroft PLLC.
House Speaker John Boehner’s office clarified that Clement and his new firm will still defend DOMA for the House of Representatives. |
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