The Free Expression Legal Network is a nationwide coalition of law school clinics, academics, and practitioners focused on promoting and protecting free speech, free press, and the free flow of information to an informed and engaged citizenry. Our members work on media law, transparency, and/or access issues, either as their primary focus or as it intersects with their work on other issues.

The network allows members to better share resources and expertise, while collaborating on projects to defend the constitutional rights of free speech and a free press.

FELN members have handled a diverse array of cases in recent years. For example, members represented a nonprofit news organization seeking public records about officials’ actions surrounding a securities fraud scandal, advised filmmakers on a documentary about San Diego’s LGBTQ history, trained citizens on how to use government open records laws, and submitted an amicus brief in a case in which the court was preparing to sentence a government employee who disclosed classified information of significant public interest to a journalist.

Steering Committee

Bruce D. Brown (co-chair)
Executive Director, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

David A. Schulz (co-chair)
Co-Director, Yale Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic

Catherine Crump
Director, Berkeley Samuelson Law, Technology and Public Policy Clinic

Lisa Hoppenjans
Director, Washington University in St. Louis First Amendment Clinic

Mark Jackson
Director, Cornell First Amendment Clinic

Patrick Kabat
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

Heidi Kitrosser
Robins Kaplan Professor of Law, University of Minnesota Law School

Jonathan Manes
Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

.