A Wisconsin judge recently charged with assisting an individual to evade immigration authorities has secured the services of renowned attorney Paul Clement, a prominent conservative legal figure and former U.S. Solicitor General.
Judge Hannah Dugan of Milwaukee County faces charges of obstructing a government proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent their arrest. The charges stem from an incident on April 18, when Dugan allegedly aided Eduardo Flores-Ruiz in avoiding arrest by immigration agents outside her courtroom. Although federal agents attempted to apprehend Flores-Ruiz, Dugan reportedly facilitated his escape by directing him to exit through a jury door. Flores-Ruiz was ultimately captured outside the courthouse.
In the wake of the charges, Dugan was temporarily relieved of her duties by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. As the case unfolds, she has enlisted the expertise of Clement, a legal heavyweight with a history of high-profile Supreme Court advocacy. Clement’s law firm, Mastantuono Coffee & Thomas, confirmed his involvement on Tuesday.
Clement is no stranger to contentious legal battles, having argued more than 100 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He previously served as the U.S. Solicitor General under President George W. Bush and has been involved in a number of legal challenges against the Trump administration. Notably, he represented WilmerHale in its lawsuit against an executive order issued by former President Trump that aimed to curtail the firm’s business dealings with federal contractors.
Dugan’s case is part of a broader conflict between the Trump administration and local authorities over immigration enforcement. The administration’s aggressive immigration policies, especially during Trump’s first term, sparked resistance from several local officials. Federal prosecutors claim Dugan obstructed immigration enforcement in her courtroom, a move that may have broader implications for how local officials navigate federal immigration policies.
Following her arrest, Dugan was released from custody and is scheduled to enter a plea on May 15. Alongside Clement, she is represented by Steven Biskupic, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the tension between federal immigration mandates and local governance, with legal and political ramifications that could ripple beyond the courtroom.
