Carrie Johnson

Court of Appeals for the D.C.

Circuit is going to hear the case.

How are the law firms preparing to make their case?

The firms are looking to Supreme Court precedent that says our justice system depends on an informed and independent bar.

They're going to argue these orders violate the First Amendment and pose a severe threat to the legal profession and the rule of law.

And they say in court papers, the adversarial system depends on courts hearing views from both sides.

Lawyers need to be able to represent unpopular causes.

They also say it's not just these law firms.

Their clients have a right to a lawyer of their choice under the Sixth Amendment.

Now, many nonprofit legal groups have filed friend-of-the-court briefs to support the law firms.

But people who tried to organize opposition to the Trump order say there's really been a lack of courage by other law firms and partners.

Philip Lacovara served as a prosecutor in the Watergate scandal.

Lacovara told me firms and partners were hiding in the weeds last year when Trump signed those orders, and it's still true since he couldn't get some big-name lawyers and firms to sign briefs this year either.

What do you expect will happen in court today?

It's really odd that we are here.

Only a couple of months ago, the Justice Department filed papers to withdraw this appeal and just take the loss.

But DOJ quickly reversed course in a sign that President Trump wants to have this fight.

Arguing for the Justice Department will be Abhishek Cambly.

He's argued some of the administration's toughest cases over the past year.

This will be one of his final moves in the government because he's leaving the DOJ soon.