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
Zuckerman v. Meta Platforms, Inc.
A case arguing that Section 230 protects tools that empower people to control what they see on social media.
LATEST NEWS & ANALYSIS
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Press Statement
Appeals Court Says Public and Press Have First Amendment Right to Access Bail Hearings
Public access to court proceedings is fundamental to our democracy, Knight Institute says
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Press Statement
Knight Institute and Foundation for Global Political Exchange Settle Case Challenging U.S. Treasury Department’s Unlawful Suppression of Political Speech
Say agreement is a victory for the right of Americans to engage with ideas from around the world
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Press Statement
Federal Judge Says Challenge in Zuckerman v. Meta Cannot Go Forward Yet
Knight Institute looks forward to arguing, at a later date, that Section 230 protects user empowering tools
Our Docket
Showing 1–10 of 72
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Amicus Brief
United States v. Smith
A Second Circuit case addressing warrantless cellphone searches at the border
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Lawsuit
The Foundation for Global Political Exchange v. Department of the Treasury
A case challenging OFAC’s suppression of the exchange of political ideas
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FOIA Lawsuit
Knight Institute v. Department of Education
A FOIA lawsuit seeking disclosure of Department of Education guidance to universities regarding their Title VI obligations.
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Amicus Brief
United States v. Kamaldoss
A Second Circuit case addressing warrantless cellphone searches at the border
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Amicus Brief
University of Maryland Students for Justice in Palestine v. University of Maryland
A case challenging a public university’s blanket ban on expressive gatherings on October 7.
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Amicus Brief
United States v. Alisigwe
A Second Circuit case addressing warrantless cellphone searches at the border
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FOIA Lawsuit
Campaign for Accountability v. DOJ
A FOIA lawsuit seeking proactive disclosure of the Office of Legal Counsel’s secret legal opinions
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Amicus Brief
Armendariz v. City of Colorado Springs
A case challenging broad police searches of the digital devices of housing-rights advocates
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Amicus Brief
Iowa v. Securities Exchange Commission
Litigation challenging the SEC’s climate disclosure rule
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Amicus Brief
TikTok v. Garland
A petition before the D.C. Circuit challenging the federal TikTok ban