FIRE's litigation team seeks to protect Americans’ free speech rights by defending them in the courts and creating 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.
A father from Uvalde, Texas, who was banned from school property after raising concerns about safety protocols following the deadly mass shooting at Robb Elementary. An army vet who’s been arrested outside of public buildings in Georgia for holding a sign that reads “God Bless the Homeless Vets.” A high school student who was suspended for wearing a “Let’s Go Brandon” shirt in class. A college student journalist who was censored because he was investigating the university.
When their rights were threatened, FIRE’s team of free speech lawyers were ready to help.
Across the country, free speech rights are increasingly under fire from across the political spectrum. Far too many Americans fear sharing their views or challenging others, and nearly 6-in-10 believe our nation’s democracy is threatened because people are afraid to voice their opinions.
For more than 20 years, FIRE defended those rights on college campuses, but in 2022 we expanded our mission to defend and promote the value of free speech for all Americans in our courtrooms, on our campuses, and in our culture.
FIRE’s free speech lawyers are standing by, ready to jump into action when your rights are violated.
UT spied on my social media activity — activity that has no bearing on my success as a pharmacist or my education. I can be a successful and professional pharmacist as well as a strong woman that embraces her sexuality. The two are not mutually exclusive.
The University of Tennessee’s pharmacy school twice investigated a graduate student Kim Diei over vague professionalism policies after an anonymous complaint about her sex-positive social media content. So in February 2021 — represented by FIRE — Diei sued UT administrators. Diei’s lawsuit will ensure that Diei and her classmates no longer face this unconstitutional threat that their expression on personal social media will endanger their education.
"Young people have free speech rights just like everyone else. I have the right to stand up and speak my mind without being bullied into silence." — Samson Cournane
Samson Cournane wrote a petition to his congressman and a letter to his university’s student newspaper calling attention to patient-safety concerns at a local hospital. The hospital’s parent corporation, Northern Light Health, responded by threatening to sue Samson’s mother for defamation. FIRE is demanding Northern Light Health retract its lawsuit threat and respect Samson’s right to speak freely and petition government officials.
If you have faced retaliation over your protected speech, been forced to speak against your conscience, endured unconstitutional censorship, or another type of violation of your free speech rights, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
In 2022 alone, FIRE’s Campus Rights Advocacy team won 70 campus rights victories, impacting the rights of thousands of college students and faculty.
In 2022, FIRE vetted nearly 1,400 case submissions involving individuals and groups who said their rights were threatened.
Each year, FIRE reviews thousands of potential cases involving individuals and groups whose rights are threatened. FIRE’s team of legal and advocacy experts have decades of experience protecting free speech both on and off college campuses.
Uvalde father Adam Martinez was banned from school property and school board meetings for questioning safety protocols. After FIRE got involved, Uvalde Backed down and lifted its ban on Martinez.
Police arrested veteran Jeff Gray for peacefully holding a sign to raise awareness of homeless vets. FIRE filed a lawsuit on his behalf to vindicate his constitutional rights and won.
Mary Hall-Rayford was silenced during a city council meeting because she expressed views the mayor didn’t like. With FIRE's help, she’s suing to protect free speech.
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.
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.