Joe Cohn
FIRE Staff Speaker

Legislative Team
Joe Cohn serves as director of FIRE’s Legislative and Policy department, overseeing a team of attorneys and staff tasked with monitoring and engaging on legislation and regulatory matters. Under his leadership, FIRE has secured numerous victories for free speech and due process at the state and federal level.
Joe is a 2004 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the Fels Institute of Government Administration, where he earned his Juris Doctor and master’s degree in Government Administration. In 2000, he graduated with distinction from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, where he co-founded the student chapter of the ACLU. A former staff attorney for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and law clerk in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Joe joined FIRE in 2012 with a career-long dedication to advancing the cause of civil liberties, including through his service as a staff attorney at the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania where he provided legal services to underserved communities. His awards include accolades from The Legal Intelligencer and Pennsylvania Law Weekly, who named him a 2007 “Lawyer on the Fast Track,” and from Super Lawyers magazine, who named him a “Rising Star” in 2008.
Joe’s career also includes teaching at University of Pennsylvania Law School’s Gittis Civil Practice Clinic in 2010, where he lectured on good trial practices and supervised law students as they represented real clients in both state and federal courts. Just prior to joining FIRE, Joe served as the interim legal director for ACLU affiliates in Nevada and Utah.
As legislative and policy director, Joe spearheads FIRE’s advocacy at all levels of government. He has testified before Congress and in state legislatures across the country and has drafted numerous bills that have been enacted into state law. He regularly comments on FIRE’s issues in the media.
Recent Writings
- Unconstitutional ‘SAFER Act’ violates the First Amendment, undermines academic freedom, and seeks to upend decades of anti-discrimination law,
- Late amendment to Arizona bill targets academic freedom in teacher preparation programs,
- New wave of bills on race and sex stereotyping violate academic freedom,
- Campus due process in the crosshairs as the Senate confirms Lhamon on party-line vote,
- FIRE writes to six members of South Carolina congressional delegation regarding anti-critical race theory letter sent to state universities,
- Florida governor signs bill that advances student due process rights but risks chilling campus speech,
- Statement: Nomination of Catherine Lhamon a return to ‘old, failed policies’,
- Flawed bill to protect campus free speech signed into law in West Virginia; FIRE urges fixes,
- Florida legislation on recording classes invites ‘gotcha’ politics into the classroom,
- Legislative efforts to address teachings on race pose threats to academic freedom,
- Legislative interference in the classroom threatens academic freedom,
- Regardless of who wins the election, campus sexual assault policy must be fair for all,
- As predicted, executive order casts chilling effect—but universities need not cancel diversity trainings,
- The Campus Free Speech Restoration Act’s approach to curbing campus censorship,
- Fourteen state attorneys general file amicus brief defending new Title IX regulations,
- New Title IX regulations carefully balance the rights of all students,
- The Department of Education should not delay releasing the Title IX regulations,
- Right to counsel, right to confrontation among due process rights afforded to Arizona students under 2018 legislation,
- FIRE submits comment to the Department of Education on proposed religious liberty and campus free speech regulations,
- The Department of Education must avoid these pitfalls when crafting regulations on campus free speech,
- Legislation can protect free speech rights on college campuses: here’s how,
- Congressional resolution defends the right to boycott,
- Don’t fall in love with the club that will be used to beat you over the head,
- FIRE shares concerns about free speech implications of New Jersey’s anti-semitism legislation with lawmakers,
- New Jersey legislators introduce unconstitutional campus anti-Semitism bill,
- Pair of Texas bills pose grave threat to civil liberties,
- First test of Florida’s commitment to campus free speech looms,
- Anti-Semitism Awareness Act continues to threaten free speech on campus,
- Florida House to hear unconstitutional campus anti-Semitism bill tomorrow,
- Kentucky House leadership to decide today whether campus free speech bill proceeds,
- Committee tables Montana bill that would require public schools to teach climate change not caused by humans,
- FIRE submits comment to Department of Education on proposed Title IX regulations,
- Unconstitutional anti-boycott legislation should not become law,
- Rep. Holmes Norton latest policymaker to highlight importance of campus free speech,
- College Republicans event featuring Israeli reservists disrupted at UC Irvine,
- Problematic anti-Semitism bill passes in South Carolina,
- FIRE's response to Nebraska state senators,
- Congress’ Higher Education Act reauthorization tackles campus free speech and due process,
- Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence discusses campus sexual assault,
- Biden: ‘We hurt ourselves badly when we don't allow’ free speech on campus (VIDEO),
- California governor vetoes campus sexual misconduct bill,
- New Wisconsin Regents policy has problems and promise,
- White House wrongly calls for investigation into UNLV professor’s comments,
- Poll: Nearly three quarters of Americans agree campus sex assault policies must be fair to complainants and accused students,
- DeVos: Process to rescind ‘Dear Colleague’ letter has begun,
- Harvard Law professors to Department of Education: campus sexual assault policy needs revisiting,
- Recap: House committee holds campus free speech hearing, raises FIRE issues,
- Professor Sine Anahita: Current approach to enforcing Title IX invites ‘trouble’,
- Thoughts on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing on campus free speech,
- New Tennessee law is good news for academic freedom,
- New York lawmakers urge CUNY to rescind commencement speaker invitation,
- Second Wisconsin bill addressing free speech presents significant First Amendment problems,
- Wisconsin’s ‘Campus Free Speech Act’ gets lots right, has room for improvement,
- Texas introduces campus free speech legislation,
- Wisconsin Budget Proposal Includes Commitment to Free Speech on Campus,
- Kentucky Campus Free Expression Act Endorsed by EKU Student Government,
- Problematic Mississippi Campus Sexual Assault Bill Clears Hurdle,
- Law Enforcement Involvement Key to Protecting Students from Sexual Assault,
- Arizona Bill Eviscerates Academic Freedom and Violates the First Amendment,
- Kentucky Legislator Introduces Two Student Rights Bills,
- Wisconsin Lawmakers Once Again Threaten Academic Freedom,
- Arizona Governor’s Office Questions Whether Investigators Should “Start By Believing”,
- University of Minnesota Football Team to Boycott Bowl Game Over Perceived Lack of Due Process for Teammates [UPDATED],
- ‘Protect the Flag’ Bill Undermines Core Principles of Free Speech,
- Problematic Campus Anti-Semitism Bill Clears Senate,
- Did University of Pennsylvania Ask Wharton Professors to Stay Hush on Trump?,
- ‘Affirmative Action Bake Sale’ Disrupted at UT Austin,
- New Voices Act Takes Effect in Maryland,
- Education Department to Senate Committee: ‘Preponderance’ Mandate Is Not Law,
- House Committee on Appropriations Expresses Concerns About Campus ‘Free Speech Zones’ in Report,
- Senator Heitkamp Perfectly Captures Why Executive Overreach Shouldn’t Be A Partisan Issue,
- WMMR’s Preston and Steve Talk Campus Free Speech With Senator Chris Coons,
- FIRE Urges Changes to Student Privacy Draft Model Legislation,
- New York’s Problematic Student Organization Bill Dies,
- Baylor’s Failure Exposes Flaws in Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication,
- Tennessee Bill to Punish UT for Sex Week Becomes Law,
- New DOJ Letter Threatens Campus Speech, Warns Former OCR Attorney,
- FIRE Asks Senate Appropriations Subcommittee to Deny Budget Increases to OCR,
- CIA Director’s Talk Shut Down by Protesters at Penn,
- Yiannopoulos Invitation Leads USC Student Government to Strip Senator of Stipend,
- Mizzou Committee Recommends Adoption of Free Expression Statement,
- Kansas Governor Signs Bill Protecting Students’ Religious Liberty,
- Missouri Lawmakers Threaten to Withhold Mizzou Funding over Student Protests,
- HuffPo: Colleges Wrongly Hide Behind FERPA,
- Sexual Assault Public Shaming Bill: Well-Intentioned, But Misguided,
- Bernie Sanders: Campus Sexual Assault Requires Law Enforcement Response,
- Missouri and Nebraska Legislators Introduce Campus Press Legislation,
- ‘Union Leader’ Editorial Calls Campus Free Expression Act ‘Necessary’,
- Student and Faculty Rights Bill Coming in Washington State,
- Congressional Budget Deal Includes Unfortunate Increase in OCR’s Budget,
- Napolitano Criticizes OCR Overreach and Questions Colleges’ Ability to Investigate and Adjudicate Campus Sex Assault Cases,
- Second Department of Education Official in Eight Days Tells Congress Guidance Is Not Binding,
- Department of Education’s Overreach Questioned by Senator Lamar Alexander,
- Follow-Up Thoughts on Yesterday’s Congressional Hearing,
- Following Speech Code Letter, ‘Richmond Times-Dispatch’ Heaps Praise on Rep. Goodlatte,
- Congress Introduces Second Campus Due Process Bill: The Fair Campus Act,
- Congress Introduces Due Process Legislation: The Safe Campus Act,
- Everything Is Bigger in Texas, Including Violations of the First Amendment,
- Assemblyman Describes Problems with New York’s New Campus Sex Law,
- California Court: UCSD Sexual Assault Proceedings Violated Student's Due Process Rights,
- NY Legislators and Governor Strike a Not-So-Grand Deal on Campus Sexual Assault Bill,
- New York Legislators Should Reject Governor’s Campus Sex Assault Bill,
- New Arkansas Law Gives Students Right to Counsel in Disciplinary Appeals,
- Introducing Shelby Emmett, the Newest Member of FIRE’s Staff,
- Members of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Criticize OCR Overreach,
- Senators Introduce New Version of CASA,
- North Dakota Right to Counsel Bill Clears Key Hurdle,
- ‘Campus Free Expression Act’ Introduced in Both Houses of Missouri Legislature,
- Bipartisan Student Right to Counsel Bill Introduced in North Dakota,
- NY Times’s David Brooks Gives Emily Yoffe ‘Sidney Award’ for Campus Sex Assault Essay,
- Harvard Law Professor: OCR’s Stance on Campus Sex Assault is ‘Madness’,
- VIDEO: FIRE’s Azhar Majeed Debates NYU Law Prof. Jeremy Waldron on Hate Speech,
- More on Senate Committee’s Hearing on Campus Sexual Assault,
- Senate Committee Conducts Hearing on Campus Sexual Assault,
- UMass Amherst Tells Court That ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter Is Not Binding Law ,
- Department of Education Publishes New Regulations to Implement Changes in VAWA,
- Connecticut Campus Sexual Assault Bill Further Undermines Due Process,
- FIRE Op-Ed Part of ‘New York Times’ Debate on Campus Sexual Assault,
- Third Campus Sexual Assault Bill Introduced in Congress: Still No Provisions Addressing Due Process,
- Second Campus Sexual Assault Bill Introduced in Senate Yesterday,
- More Observers Question the Wisdom of Leaving Campus Sex Assault Adjudications to Administrators,
- ‘Las Vegas Review-Journal’ Calls on UNLV to Abandon Speech Codes,
- New York State’s Highest Court Invalidates Cyberbullying Law,
- Department of Education Offers Proposed Campus Sexual Assault Regulations ,
- South Carolina Budget Punishes Colleges for LGBT Books, Violates Academic Freedom,
- Oklahoma Passes Law to Protect Religious Student Groups’ Freedom of Association,
- NCHERM’s Open Letter on Campus Sexual Assault Reveals Common Ground ,
- The Shibleys Explain the Harms Caused by Campus ‘Trigger Warnings’,
- Good and Not-So-Good News on the Maryland Anti-Boycott Legislation Front,
- Victory in Tennessee: Bill Banning Outside Speakers Is Abandoned,
- In Letter, FIRE Urges South Carolina’s Governor to Uphold Academic Freedom,
- Social Media Protection Bill Pending in Ohio,
- FIRE Provides Comment to White House Task Force,
- In Virginia, Right to Counsel Bill Tabled,
- 'Nature News' Evaluates the Costs and Benefits of Campus Threat Assessment Teams,
- 'Slate' Slams Kansas Board of Regents' Outrageous New Social Media Policy,
- Cal Poly Administration Concludes Party Violated No Campus Policies,
- Student Government at U. of Washington Unanimously Passes Free Speech Resolution,
- Playboy's 'Smoking Jacket' Covers Censorship on Campus,
- Political Poster Banned at Duquesne University,
- FIRE President: 'When the Artist's Brush Catches the Censor's Eye',
- Students' Free Speech Victory Upheld at Oregon State as Supreme Court Denies Cert Petition,
- Blurred Logic: University Censorship of Pop Hit Sends the Wrong Message,
- U. of Cincinnati Cartoon: Crude? Perhaps. Protected Speech? Absolutely!,
- Department of Education Secretary 'Happy to Assist' on FERPA,
- Topless Self Portrait of Geraldo Prompts Duquesne University to Rescind Speaking Invitation,
- Schools Should Realize That 'Davis' Is the Solution,
- Responding to Volokh's Defense of the 'Preponderance' Standard,
- ThinkProgress' Defense of 'Blueprint' Misses the Mark,
- Michelle Obama Tells EKU Grads to Seek Out Those with Different Beliefs,
- Utah Adopts New Internet Privacy Law; Similar Bill Awaits Signature of Arkansas Governor,
- Newark's 'The Star-Ledger' Runs Two Op-Eds on Student Rights,
- Virginia Passes Law Protecting Religious Pluralism on Campus,
- Student Organization Bill Clears Idaho Legislature,
- House Votes to Reauthorize VAWA; How Will It Impact Student Rights?,
- Bipartisan ‘Social Networking Online Protection Act’ Introduced in House of Representatives,
- UCSB Student Government Passes Resolution Calling for Censorship,
- Tennessee Legislators Introduce New Bill to Combat ‘All-Comers’ Policies,
- Vassar College Chooses to Combat Unwanted Speech with More Speech, Not Censorship,
- Joe Cohn in ‘LGBTQ Nation’ On Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act,
- FIRE’s Top 3 Free Press Cases,
- KC Johnson to Journalists: Stop Presuming Guilt,
- ACLU to White House, Dept. of Ed: 'Comprehensive' First Amendment Guidance Needed,
- A Legislative Victory for Student Rights in Michigan,
- 113th Congress May Leave Mark on Student Rights,
- Remembering Chris Eckhardt, True Free Speech Hero,
- ‘Washington Examiner’ Makes Free Speech on Campus a 2013 New Year’s Resolution,
- 'Augusta Chronicle' Editorial: 'Free Speech Still in Peril',
- A Busy 2012 for Student Rights in Washington; 2013 Promises Even More Congressional Action,
- Standing Up for a Professor's Right to Free Speech, Even While Disagreeing!,
- Strangling Satire at Harvard,
- Jonathan Turley in USA Today: 'Accused Students Deserve Protection',
- Good News from Capitol Hill: With Presidential Signature, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act Now Law,
- UPDATE: After Being Removed from Office for Speech, Fresno City College Student Senator Reinstated,
- ACLU Executive Director Delivers Blistering Critique of Campus Speech Codes,
- Changes to Harvard Student Disciplinary Process Reviewed,
- Professor Don Downs on ‘Unlearning Liberty’ in ‘Minding the Campus’,
- Partial Mistrial in U. of Iowa Faculty Discrimination Lawsuit,
- Snow College Sued for Discriminating Against Religious Students,
- Responding in Full to ‘Preponderance of the Evidence’ Advocates,
- Ithaca College Restricts Student Journalists’ Access to College Administrators,
- Judge Upholds Virginia Ban on Alcohol Ads in Student Publications; Newspapers Appeal,
- Latest Example of Unlearning Liberty: Fresno City College,
- ‘Inside Higher Ed’ Turns to a Reliable Source to Talk Students’ Rights,
- Joe Cohn on Campus vs. Civil Trials in ‘The Chronicle of Higher Education’,
- FIRE in 'The Denver Post' on the Colorado Shooter and College ‘Threat Assessment Teams’,
- Kaminer: "The End of Free Speech at University of Colorado?,
- Runnin’ Rebel with a Cause: Protecting the First Amendment,
- We the People of FIRE Wish You a Happy Constitution Day!,
- Former OCR Attorney: ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter’s Preponderance Mandate ‘Unlawful’,
- Republican Platform Calls for Free Speech on Campus,
- A Balanced Approach to VAWA,
- Greg’s Anthem Film Festival Award Acceptance Speech -- The Long Version!,
- Texas A&M At It Again,
- Will in ‘Huffington Post’: Free Speech 1, Free Speech Zone 0,
- ETSU, Brute?,
- ‘Fee Speech’: When University-Bank Partnerships Silence Students,
- Where FIRE Stands on VAWA,
- Alabama Bill Would Make it a Crime to Annoy Someone Online,

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