Litigation
The Institute defends the freedoms of speech and of the press through strategic litigation designed to have a meaningful impact on the law, on public policy, and on public opinion. We litigate cases that have the potential to establish important new legal principles concerning the system of free expression, to influence the practices of powerful actors in that system, and to raise public awareness about contemporary structural threats to that system. We focus especially on complex and challenging cases that relate to new technology, including new communications platforms, and we favor cases that afford us the opportunity to draw on insights generated by our research program.
Our litigation prioritizes cases in our three focus areas, Free Speech & Social Media, Transparency & Democracy, and Privacy & Surveillance.
Featured
Coalition for Independent Technology Research v. Rubio
A challenge to an immigration policy targeting tech researchers and online safety workers
LATEST NEWS & ANALYSIS
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Deep Dive
A License to Speak is a Victory, but Durable Protections are Needed to Safeguard Scholars, Journalists, and Advocates
The Treasury Department must make clear that it cannot use its ICC sanctions to stifle the exchange of ideas
By Xiangnong (George) Wang -
Press Statement
Knight Institute Urges Appeals Court to End Mahmoud Khalil’s Deportation Proceedings
Says the government cannot use immigration law to silence dissent
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Press Statement
Fourth Circuit Dismisses Challenge to Government Policy Silencing Immigration Judges
Federal employees should be able to speak publicly about matters of public concern without having to jump through futile administrative hoops, the Knight Institute says
Our Docket
Showing 21–30 of 101
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Lawsuit
United States v. Trump
A motion to intervene in Trump classified documents case seeking release of Special Counsel’s report.
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Amicus Brief
Khalil v. Trump
A lawsuit challenging the government’s effort to detain and deport Mahmoud Khalil.
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Amicus Brief
Newsom v. Trump
A lawsuit challenging the deployment of the national guard and marines in Los Angeles.
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Lawsuit
The Texas Tribune v. Caldwell County
A case challenging the exclusion of the press and public from bail hearings in Caldwell County, Texas.
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Amicus Brief
Harvard College v. HHS
A lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s retaliatory targeting of Harvard College
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Amicus Brief
Law Firms v. Trump Administration
Multiple cases by law firms challenging retaliatory executive orders
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Lawsuit
Knight Institute v. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District
A public records lawsuit seeking information about a school district’s use of surveillance systems to monitor students’ digital activities.
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Amicus Brief
The Associated Press v. Budowich
A case challenging The Associated Press’ exclusion from the White House press pool.
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Amicus Brief
United States v. Terry
A case addressing the scope of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
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Lawsuit
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York v. USDA
A case challenging USDA’s purge of climate-related webpages.