Washington Democrat AG hands girls sports law defense to outside firm amid conflict of interest concerns

Brown announced Thursday that Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner will represent Washington in defending Initiative 638, which voters approved in the Nov.3 election.WASHINGTON AG'S OFFICE INDICATES IT WILL DEFEND GIRLS' SPORTS BALLOT MEASURE AFTER ACLU SUES TO BLOCK ITWashington state Attorney General Nick Brown speaks to the media outside the U.S.

District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle on Feb.28, 2025, following a hearing on the state's request for a preliminary injunction against President Donald Trump's executive order attacking gender-affirming care for youth.

(AFP via Getty Images)"My personal views do not dictate what laws get defended or the strength of that defense," Brown said.Brown described defending voter-enacted laws as a core responsibility.He also pointed to his office’s litigation protecting transgender residents’ health care and equal treatment, saying that work would continue.He said appointing outside attorneys as special assistant attorneys general is a common practice when conflicts, expertise needs or workload prevent the office from handling a case itself.

Brown described BCLP as an experienced firm with a substantial Washington presence that has previously represented the state.The announcement follows questions from Fox News Digital about how Brown’s office would handle the defense, including connections between his office and organizations challenging the initiative."When a new law is passed by the people or the Legislature, our role is to ensure it is defended regardless of our personal views about the policy.We will review court filings as they come and discuss next steps," the office previously told Fox News Digital.When asked follow-up questions, the office said it was discussing its next steps and reiterated its obligation to ensure the law is defended.Brown’s former law firm, Pacifica Law Group, is among the organizations representing the challengers, alongside the ACLU of Washington and Legal Voice.The g...