Critics of Justice Dept lawyers who had terror detainee clients draw attention, condemnation

Critics of Justice Dept. lawyers under fire

WASHINGTON — A conservative group’s bashing of several Obama administration lawyers as the “al-Qaida Seven” has struck a nerve in the U.S. legal community, prompting even some fellow Republicans to denounce the group’s attack.

In a video ad circulated over the Internet, the group called Keep America Safe questioned the values of a number of lawyers now working for the Justice Department who have done legal work in the past on behalf of terror detainees.

While Republicans often accuse Democrats of being soft on terrorism, this particular charge has angered a number of prominent conservative lawyers, who call the move shameful.