Equal Justice University 2025

This session will explore how First Amendment rights—particularly freedom of speech, petition, and association—intersect with a wide range of legal practice areas. We have, for example, seen First Amendment issues arise in the immigration enforcement context and selective targeting of individuals based on their underlying speech rights. Some instances of criminal law also raise concerns about free expression. In the professional sphere, rights of association and expression can be implicated when attorneys undertake controversial representation or speak out on matters of public concern. This session will offer attendees the opportunity to learn about First Amendment rights that may apply to their practice areas and share their experiences—highlighting real-world examples and offering practical tools for client advocacy. The panel will be interactive, including real-world hypotheticals, discussion, and resource sharing.

Learning Objective:
First Amendment framework/tools that can be used across practice areas.