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Legal Hotline
Welcome to FAC's Free Legal Hotline!
The Legal Hotline gives users quick, free access to FAC’s lawyers — all First Amendment and government access specialists at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, LLP, an international law firm with offices in San Francisco — for questions about access to public records and your right to attend government meetings in California; access to court documents and proceedings in California and federal courts; and First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
Please note what the Hotline is not. It is not for legal questions outside these areas of law. And it does not provide legal services or legal representation, like preparing documents or appearing in court.
FAC makes this service free, thanks to support from people like you. Help keep FAC’s programs free and consider making a contribution of any size. All of FAC’s supporters and members are given priority in access to Hotline attorneys.
We’d also like to invite you to join FAC. Membership is free.
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Be sure to answer all questions and to describe your legal question or problem. When you’re done, click “submit.”
A Hotline attorney will get back to you by phone or email (most likely by email) within a matter of days. Reporters on deadline should note that in the subject of the request and expect a rapid response.
It’s possible the Hotline lawyers have already answered your question. Visit our Asked & Answered page and search the database of past hotline questions and answers.
By submitting this form, you’re also agreeing to receive email updates from FAC. You have the option to opt-out at any time. We respect your email privacy.