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 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.
Facing censorship or retaliation for protected speech? FIRE lawyers are here to help you when your free speech rights are violated.
FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.
If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
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.
FIRE filed a lawsuit against the university to protect student press freedoms for Jared, The Indian Leader, and student journalists around the country.
The president of Haskell Indian Nations University issued an unconstitutional directive to student journalist Jared Nally, editor-in-chief of the award winning student newspaper, The Indian Leader, that formally forbade Jared from engaging in protected journalistic activities. He also directed Jared to start showing university administrators the “highest respect” — or else!
Are you a student journalist? FIRE has your back. Our Student Press Freedom Initiative (SPFI) defends free press on campus by advocating for the rights of student journalists across the country.
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.
University administrators turned me into a pariah on campus because I included a land acknowledgment that wasn’t sufficiently progressive for them.
When Professor Stuart Reges challenged the University of Washington’s position on land acknowledgements, administrators punished him, undermining his academic freedom. He reached out to FIRE, and we took the university to court. “I am pleased that FIRE joined with me to fight back against University of Washington’s illegal viewpoint discrimination,” said Reges.
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.
I never dreamed I would teach at a college where I would be ordered to not share facts, particularly life-saving ones, with my students.
FIRE sued Collin College for firing “Educator of the Year” and historian Michael Phillips after he criticized the college’s COVID-19 policies.
Learn more about how FIRE advocates for your rights.
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