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Judges and Judiciary,
Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Feb. 25, 2026

From tariffs to trust: Why lawyers must oppose efforts to normalize attacks on the judiciary

Disagreement with court decisions is healthy in a constitutional democracy, but attacks on judges' loyalty or integrity erode public trust, embolden similar conduct within the bar, and threaten the rule of law.

Brian S. Kabateck

Founding and Managing Partner
Kabateck LLP

Consumer rights

633 W. Fifth Street Suite 3200
Los Angeles , CA 90071

Phone: (213) 217-5000

Email: bsk@kbklawyers.com

Brian represents plaintiffs in personal injury, mass torts litigation, class actions, insurance bad faith, insurance litigation and commercial contingency litigation. He is a former president of Consumer Attorneys of California.

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Shant A. Karnikian

Managing Partner and Trial Attorney
Kabateck LLP

Phone: (213) 217-5000

Email: sk@kbklawyers.com

Loyola Law School

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From tariffs to trust: Why lawyers must oppose efforts to normalize attacks on the judiciary
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This is not okay.

Disagreement with judicial decisions is nothing new. It is as old as the Republic. Presidents, legislators, lawyers and citizens have criticized court rulings since the Founding--and that is not only expected, but healthy in a constitutional democracy.$95

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