Legal Support

Defending Your Rights

FIRE strategically litigates in courts nationwide to vindicate the First Amendment and due process rights of college faculty and students. In 2022, we expanded our litigation mission beyond campus to preserve the free expression rights of everyday Americans. FIRE’s litigation team proactively seeks plaintiffs to participate in lawsuits that have the potential to set lasting legal precedents. Our lawyers also work to position FIRE as a thought leader in First Amendment jurisprudence by submitting amicus briefs in strategically chosen cases, teaching Continuing Legal Education courses, recruiting like-minded attorneys to the FIRE Legal Network, and publishing legal scholarship.

FIRE Legal Network

Priscilla Villarreal

FIRE’s First Amendment Freedom Operation

Censoring public comments. Compelling speech. Suing people into silence. Sometimes it feels like no words are safe from suppression and coercion. FIRE’s First Amendment Freedom Operation proves that violating First Amendment rights has consequences. We take on cases of everyday people who run afoul of government officials just for speaking their minds. And we’re determined to emerge victorious, knowing a win for our clients is a win for all Americans. 

View Our Cases

FIRE clients (left to right) Priscilla Villarreal, Mary Hall-Rayford, and Darius Dubash
Photo of FIRE plaintiff Susan Hogarth holding up her phone showing her ballot selfie
I won’t be bullied over such an innocent and wholesome impulse as sharing enthusiasm for my candidates. These ballot selfie bans may seem harmless, but they’re just one more way the state attempts to control and muzzle true self-expression while pretending to protect it.

Threatened with fines and jail time for taking a ballot selfie

Defending Your Rights

In March 2024, Susan Hogarth took a "ballot selfie" with her completed ballot for a primary election, and then posted the image to social media. A few weeks later, Susan received a letter from the North Carolina State Board of Elections telling her she committed a crime and demanding she take the post down. She refused, and with help from FIRE, she’s suing members of the board of elections to have the unconstitutional statutes struck down.

Read Susan's Story

 

Do I have a case? What is a case?

By “case,” we mean any situation you suspect represents a threat to your right to freedom of speech, freedom of association, or sanctity of conscience. Additionally, if you are at an institution of higher education, we will consider cases involving due process, legal equality, and religious liberty. 

Case Submission FAQ

Juliette Colunga
FIRE plaintiff Jeff Gray holds a sign reading "God bless homeless vets"
I have been harassed, trespassed, handcuffed and arrested countless times for peacefully exercising my First Amendment rights. My intention is to ensure that all Americans from the wealthiest millionaire to the poorest homeless person can exercise these rights without fear of consequence from our government.

Army vet arrested for holding ‘God Bless the Homeless Vets’ sign

Our Impact

Jeff Gray, a U.S. Army veteran and retired truck driver, has been repeatedly stopped, detained, searched, and arrested by the police. His alleged crime? Holding signs — in front of city halls across the United States. FIRE filed three lawsuits on his behalf to vindicate his constitutional rights and won them all!

READ Jeff's Story

Faculty Legal Defense Fund

The Faculty Legal Defense Fund offers “first responder” assistance to protect the expressive and academic freedom of faculty at public colleges and universities. So if you face censorship or retaliation for your instruction or scholarship, or for your speech on issues of public concern as a private citizen, then FLDF may be able to help. 

Learn More About FLDF

FLDF Hotline

lawsuit justice lawyers plaintiff defendant in courtroom
Reedley College professor Bill Blanken
“I’m a professor of chemistry. How am I supposed to incorporate DEI into my classroom instruction? What’s the ‘anti-racist’ perspective on the atomic mass of boron?" — Reedley College Professor Bill Blanken

FIRE Has Your Back

Faculty Story

FIRE filed a lawsuit on behalf of six California community college professors to halt new, systemwide regulations forcing professors to espouse and teach politicized conceptions of “diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Read Their Story

Get Involved

Are you a legal professional interested in helping clients with First Amendment cases? Check out FIRE’s opportunities for you to make a difference by helping someone when they need it most.

Team working by group video call share ideas brainstorming negotiating use video conference

FIRE Legal Network

The FIRE Legal Network is a nationwide group of attorneys to whom we refer cases when counsel is necessary and the matter at issue falls outside the scope of FIRE’s mission or ability to assist.
Student advocate writing

Legal Clerkship

FIRE offers a 15-week, course-credited, in-semester legal clerkship for law students looking for hands-on First Amendment experience working for a dynamic, nonpartisan, civil liberties organization.
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, August 28, 1963.

Defending free speech since 1999

Facing censorship or retaliation for protected speech? FIRE lawyers are here to help you when your free speech rights are violated.

FIRE in the Courts

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