Federal courts have handed a series of resounding victories to the law firms fighting back against President Trump’s targeted executive orders, a sharp rebuke of his retribution campaign against them.

Three judges, appointed by presidents of both political parties, forcefully struck down orders this month aimed at limiting government contracts and access for Big Law firms Perkins Coie, WilmerHale and Jenner & Block.

The early wins underscore the legal system's ability to withstand the Trump administration’s pressure test, and have led some in the legal community to take shots at other elite firms that struck deals with Trump to avoid punishments.

“This is a moment for courage, not capitulation,” said Harold Hongju Koh, a Yale Law School professor who authored papers calling Trump’s orders retaliatory and the law firm deals unenforceable.

“The firms that showed courage are being vindicated, and the ones who have capitulated have another chance to show courage,” he continued. “So, what are they going to do?”

The judges ruling in favor of the law firms all deemed the administration’s actions as illegal.

Still, that might not make firms that chose to strike deals with Trump regret their actions.

Those firms likely anticipated they could win in court, but decided it was in their better business interests to settle with Trump, said Rachel Cohen, a lawyer who made waves after she offered a conditional........

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