Clement Hurts Firm's LGBT Outreach, Causes Gag Order

Paul Clement's law firm, King and Spalding, has come under fire from LGBT advocates after it was officially announced that the former solicitor general would be working with House Republicans to defend the federal ban on marriage equality, known as the Defense of Marriage Act.

Additionally, the firm's staff members have been notified that they cannot speak out in support of the Respect for Marriage Act, federal legislation that would repeal DOMA, according to Metro Weekly. The rule was part of a provision in Clement's contract with the House of Representatives, which was signed last week.

King abd Spalding has touted its diversity and its ties to advocacy group Lambda Legal, which has been a leading organization in defending gay rights in the court system.

Jon Davidson of Lambda Legal told The Huffington Post Friday that the firm will likely have difficulty trying to recruit new attorneys because of Clement's and other staffers' involvement in DOMA cases. He and D'Arcy Kemnitz of the National LGBT Bar Association also said they will have to reevaluate their relationships with the firm moving forward. King and Spalding recruits from the association's annual career fair for LGBT law students.