State Bar of Texas defendants who are fighting a lawsuit that challenges mandatory bar dues being spent for alleged political and ideological purposes are arguing that the plaintiffs are using erroneous legal arguments and have sued the wrong people.

The defendants made a bevy of filings in the case, McDonald v. Longley, in which three attorneys have claimed that the bar is violating their First Amendment rights. They claim the bar forces them to join and pay mandatory dues, which it then spends on activities the plaintiffs disagree with, such as LGBT continuing legal education, legal aid for undocumented immigrants, diversity efforts, legal aid programs and legislative affairs efforts.