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
American Association of University Professors v. Rubio
A case challenging the Trump administration’s policy of ideological deportation.
LATEST NEWS & ANALYSIS
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Press Statement
Appeals Court Revives Journalists’ Case Against Spyware Manufacturer NSO Group
Spyware manufacturers should be held accountable in U.S. courts for actions violating U.S. law, Knight Institute says
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Press Statement
Appeals Court Holds that Groups Lack Standing To Challenge U.S. Government’s Social Media Disclosure Requirement for Visa Applicants
Court decision is disappointing, but allows for possible continuation of lawsuit against unconstitutional surveillance regime, groups say
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Press Statement
Legal Organizations Across Ideologies Urge Court to Block President Trump’s Unconstitutional Attacks on Harvard
The amicus brief argues that the administration violated Harvard’s rights to free speech and academic freedom by unlawfully revoking federal funding
Our Docket
Showing 1–10 of 81
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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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Lawsuit
American Association of University Professors v. Rubio
A case challenging the Trump administration’s policy of ideological deportation.
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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.
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Lawsuit
United States v. Trump
A motion to intervene in Trump classified documents case seeking release of Volume II of Special Counsel’s report.
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Amicus Brief
X Corp. v. Media Matters
An appeal addressing X Corp.’s effort to compel a research organization to disclose its donors.
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