D.C. Bar Association Election Gains National Spotlight Amid Trump Administration’s Attacks on Legal Profession
Washington, D.C. – May 12, 2025 – A typically low-profile election for the presidency of the District of Columbia Bar Association has captured unprecedented attention, driven by the Trump administration’s escalating campaign against lawyers, law firms, and judges, as reported by NPR. With over 30,000 votes already cast—tripling the 1990 record—the race between candidates Diane Seltzer and Brad Bondi reflects broader tensions over the rule of law and the legal profession’s independence.
The D.C. Bar, a nonprofit organization representing over 100,000 lawyers, is electing a new president-elect in a contest that closes on June 4, 2025, with results expected shortly after. The race has been thrust into the spotlight due to its timing amid President Donald Trump’s actions targeting the legal community. Since taking office, Trump has issued executive orders punishing law firms like Susman Godfrey and Jenner & Block for representing clients such as Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign and special counsel Jack Smith. The administration has also fired career Justice Department lawyers, barred its attorneys from American Bar Association (ABA) events, and threatened judges with impeachment over unfavorable rulings.
Brad Bondi, one of the candidates, is the younger brother of Trump’s Attorney General, Pam Bondi, a connection that has fueled controversy. His opponent, Diane Seltzer, has garnered endorsements from nearly two dozen former D.C. Bar presidents, positioning her as the choice of the Bar’s establishment. The race grew heated after conservative lawyer George Conway, a vocal Trump critic, posted an Instagram video urging D.C. Bar members to vote against Bondi, calling him a threat to the Bar’s independence. Though not a D.C. Bar member, Conway’s intervention amplified the election’s visibility, prompting a National Review piece defending Bondi titled “Don’t Blame Brad Bondi for His Sister.”
At a recent online candidate forum, Bondi accused Seltzer of politicizing the race, citing her social media posts alleging he was part of a conspiracy to undermine the rule of law. Seltzer’s campaign has leaned into concerns about the Trump administration’s influence, particularly given Brad Bondi’s familial ties and the candidacy of Alicia Long, a deputy to Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney Ed Martin, for the Bar’s treasurer position. Posts on X, including one from @NormOrnstein, have framed the election as a battle against “Trump/Pam Bondi loyalists” attempting to control the Bar, urging members to vote for an “independent slate” led by Seltzer and Amanda Molina for treasurer.
Bob Spagnoletti, the D.C. Bar’s CEO, told NPR, “I’ve been a member of the D.C. Bar for 30 years, and this is the first time that the election has generated this kind of interest.” The Bar’s role, primarily administrative and focused on ethics and continuing education, is usually apolitical, making the current rhetoric and turnout extraordinary. The American Bar Association and other groups have rallied against Trump’s actions, with over 4,000 individuals and organizations signing a letter to Pam Bondi calling for an end to attacks on the legal profession.
Critics argue the administration’s moves—such as barring Justice Department lawyers from ABA events and targeting firms based on their clients—threaten judicial impartiality, due process, and the right to counsel. William R. Bay, ABA president, told NPR in March that these actions represent a “unique moment” due to their “intensity and frequency,” undermining the rule of law. Conversely, Bondi has emphasized a nonpartisan vision for the Bar, focusing on practical services for members, as noted in an X post by @JMacNYC from a candidate forum.
The election’s outcome will signal whether the D.C. Bar, the largest unified bar in the U.S., can maintain its independence amid political pressures. Voting, open to all active D.C. Bar members since April 15, has seen record participation, reflecting the stakes. As the legal community braces for further administration actions, the race underscores a broader fight to protect the profession’s integrity.