Leading First Amendment lawyer Robert Corn-Revere joins FIRE

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2023 — Today, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is thrilled to announce that leading First Amendment litigator and author Robert Corn-Revere has joined the organization’s litigation department as chief counsel.

Corn-Revere has taken on many high-profile cases throughout his storied career as a First Amendment litigator. He successfully argued United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc., in which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. He also served as co-counsel in United States v. Stevens, in which the Court held that a federal statute prohibiting depictions of animal cruelty violates the First Amendment. And he successfully defended CBS Broadcasting in the Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” case arising from the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.

“Bob has few peers in the world of First Amendment litigation,” said FIRE President and CEO Greg Lukianoff. “For decades, he’s been a powerful advocate for free speech rights not only in the court of law, but also in the court of public opinion. FIRE is serious about building the best First Amendment litigation practice in America. Bob is a world-class litigator. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the team.”

In his role at FIRE, Corn-Revere will draw upon his expertise and decades of experience to bolster FIRE’s expanding litigation efforts, mentor FIRE attorneys, and bring FIRE’s defense of the First Amendment and free speech culture to new audiences. He will work out of FIRE’s Washington, D.C. office.

Corn-Revere comes to FIRE from the law firm of Davis Wright Tremaine where he was a partner for 20 years specializing in freedom of expression and communications law. Before his time at DWT, he was a partner at Hogan & Hartson and served as legal advisor and later chief counsel to Federal Communications Commission Chairman James H. Quello.

Corn-Revere is a prominent writer, thinker, and advocate on free expression issues. In 2021, Cambridge University Press published his book, “The Mind of the Censor and the Eye of the Beholder: The First Amendment and the Censor’s Dilemma,” which explores how free expression became a part of America’s identity. He also co-authored the three-volume treatise, “Modern Communication Law,” published by West Group. In 2003, he successfully petitioned Governor George E. Pataki to grant the first posthumous pardon in New York history to the late comedian Lenny Bruce, who was convicted for “obscene” comedy routines.

Before joining FIRE full-time, Corn-Revere was a volunteer on FIRE’s Advisory Council. He also served as outside counsel for FIRE’s Stand Up For Speech Litigation Project, successfully litigating on behalf of college students and faculty whose First Amendment rights were violated.

“I am excited to enter a new phase in my career to support FIRE’s expanded mission to protect freedom of expression not just in higher education, but in American society in general,” said Corn-Revere. “Now is a critical time in the ongoing struggle to defend the law of free speech and — perhaps more importantly — a culture that supports free expression. I am proud to join an organization known for its consistent and principled defense of these fundamental values.”

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty.

CONTACT

Alex Griswold, Communications Campaign Manager, FIRE: 215-717-3473; media@thefire.org