A top Pentagon official last week urged U.S. corporations to boycott law firms whose attorneys represent detainees at the US prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In a radio interview last week, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs Charles “Cully” Stimson said companies might wish to shun firms that represent “the very terrorists who hit their bottom line back in 2001.” Stimson apologized after his remarks were condemned by the American Bar Association and deans from more than 130 law schools. We speak with the co-author of the law school petition and a corporate lawyer representing six Guantanamo prisoners. [includes rush transcript]

A top Pentagon official has urged US corporations to boycott law firms whose attorneys represent detainees at the US prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Charles “Cully” Stimson- who is Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs - spoke last Thursday to Federal News Radio on the fifth anniversary of the first prisoners being sent to Guantanamo. Stimson listed some of the most prestigious corporate law firms in the country that are providing free representation to detainees and said that companies might want to consider taking their business elsewhere - to firms that are not “representing terrorists.”

• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs Charles “Cully” Stimson, speaking last week on Federal News Radio.

The American Bar Association immediately condemned his remarks calling them deeply offensive to the legal profession. And one hundred thirty U.S law school deans signed a letter also condemning his remarks. The Pentagon has distanced itself from Stimson saying that he was not speaking for the Bush administration. Stimson has now apologized for his remarks. In a letter to the Washington Post today, he writes “those comments do not reflect my core belief.” He adds: “I believe firmly that a foundational principle of our legal system is that the system works best when both sides are represented by competent legal counsel.” We’re joined by two guests:

• Stephen Oleskey. Partner in the Litigation and Real Estate Departments at the law firm WilmerHale. He represents six Guantanamo detainees.
• Emily Spieler. Dean of Northeastern University’s School of Law. She is the co-author of the deans’ letter condemning Stimson’s remarks.

We invited a representative from the Pentagon to join us but they declined our request.