FAC’s greatest asset is in the legal wisdom and experience accrued over 30 years of successfully holding governments accountable at the local, state, and federal levels, supporting journalists and educating citizens on how to enforce their First Amendment rights
The First Amendment Coalition won an important legal victory in its year-long effort to enforce California’s landmark police transparency law, with an appeals court saying the public has a right
The First Amendment Coalition has prevailed in a lawsuit against the city of Bakersfield, with a judge ruling that the city council violated open-government laws when it held three closed-door
The First Amendment Coalition has prevailed in a lawsuit against the San Diego district attorney’s office, forcing the disclosure of public records related to accusations of sexual misconduct by public
The California Supreme Court has issued a series of rulings rejecting the governor’s efforts to seal key clemency records, ensuring transparency in a critical aspect of the criminal justice process.
FAC conducts a program of strategic litigation by initiating “test case” lawsuits to resolve key legal issues in a way that maximizes chances for a favorable outcome, with far-reaching effects. Go to Strategic Litagation
FAC weighs in on issues in already-filed cases through the submission of amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs. We also enlist other organizations and interested parties to join our amicus briefs. Go to Amicus Briefs
The Legal Hotline gives users quick, free access to FAC’s lawyers for questions about access to public records; your right to attend public meetings; access to court documents and proceedings. Go to Legal Hotline
Asked & Answered is a searchable database of questions posed by users about open government laws, and First Amendment safeguards that have been answered by FAC’s attorney. Go to Asked & Answered
The S.D.I. aims to provide pro bono or reduced-rate counsel trained in the intricacies of subpoena defense to defend journalists—particularly those from independent and nonprofit media outlets. Go to Subpoena Defense
Jonathan Logan Family Foundation
Craig Newmark
Philanthropies
Will Hearst
The Hearst Foundations
First Look Media, Inc.
The James B. McClatchy Foundation
Rowland & Patricia Rebele
Carol & Doug Melamed
Donald E. Graham
California Press Foundation
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