Cases

Decades of legal wisdom and experience

FAC’s greatest asset is the legal wisdom and experience accrued over decades of successfully holding governments accountable at the local, state, and federal levels, supporting journalists and educating people on how to enforce their First Amendment and open government rights.

Featured Case

color photo of the exterior of Fresno's city hall building

ACLU and First Amendment Coalition v. City of Fresno

With the ACLU of Northern California, FAC sued the City of Fresno for holding secret budget negotiations in violation of the Brown Act, California’s open meetings law for local governments.

Shelton v. Napa Valley Unified School District

Representing freelance reporter Holly McDede, FAC filed a motion to intervene in Shelton v. Napa Valley Unified School District, a “reverse CPRA” lawsuit that seeks to prevent the release of public records regarding a former public school teacher’s alleged sexual abuse of students.
FCI Dublin Motion to Unseal

FAC joined freelance journalist Victoria Law, nonprofit news organization The Appeal, and the ACLU of Northern California in moving to unseal court records and preserve public access to hearings in the landmark class action lawsuit that survivors of sexual assault at FCI Dublin brought against the federal Bureau of Prisons in 2023.
Wilson v. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

FAC represents student journalist Elizabeth Wilson, who sued Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for violating the California Public Records Act by refusing to disclose public records for more than 18 months.
FAC Submits Letter Asking State Appeals Court to Unpublish a Court Decision

The letter argues the court’s decision will make the state reporter’s shield law less effective and encourage criminal defendants to seek information from journalists unnecessarily. CLOSED
Dhaliwal v. Komrosky

FAC and the ACLU of Southern California sued the Temecula Valley School District and its board president for violating the First Amendment rights of school board meeting attendees who were ejected from the meetings without cause. CLOSED
FAC Leads Coalition Urging California Supreme Court to Hear Public Records Case

Coalition argues the California Supreme Court should review a decision that found the public records act does not authorize a court to issue a remedy beyond ordering disclosure of specific records, including

ACLU and First Amendment Coalition v. City of Fresno

Shelton v. Napa Valley Unified School District

FCI Dublin Motion to Unseal

Wilson v. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

FAC Submits Letter Asking State Appeals Court to Unpublish a Court Decision

Dhaliwal v. Komrosky

FAC Leads Coalition Urging California Supreme Court to Hear Public Records Case