Past presidents of the American Bar Association and other state and local bar associations have published an open letter condemning the electoral processes launched in swing states across the country.

“As past presidents of state, local and national bar associations, this flurry of litigation compels us to remind the profession and the public: the courtroom is not a theater for frivolous claims,” ​​the letter reads.

“When attorneys file a lawsuit, we have a duty to ensure that they are based on solid facts, supported by law, and devoid of any intent to harass or waste the court’s time,” the group of more than 100 former presidents wrote. “A frivolous lawsuit not only wastes judicial resources, it also undermines public confidence in democracy and our profession.”

The letter quoted reporting from Bloombergwhich highlighted one new electoral file per day submitted only in October. More than 100 lawsuits have been filed in seven swing states, according to the suit NBC News.

“Concluding electoral processes without a solid factual and legal basis endangers the very institutions that lawyers are supposed to defend. In a functioning democracy, lawsuits are not weapons to spread mistrust, but are tools for justice,” noted the lawyers.

The letter frequently referenced disbarred attorneys such as Rudy Giuliani, who was accused of making statements in 2020 that confirmed that he knowingly submitted election files without substantial evidence.

“Lawyers who disregard these standards risk not only their careers, but the credibility of the entire legal system, undermining the democracy we are sworn to protect,” the group wrote. “As legal professionals, we must adhere to the highest ethical standards to avoid a repeat of these events. With this election, we call on our colleagues to remember our duties as lawyers and guardians of the rule of law.”

The short letter featured four and a half pages of signatures from past national, state and local presidents of the organization. The effort was spurred by the bar American Democracy Task Forcewhich was formed in 2023 with the aim of encouraging legal professionals to uphold the Constitution and strengthen the nation’s democracy.

This year, the group embarked on listening tours across the country to hear from grassroots advocates.

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