Law School Clinics and Nonprofits Form Network to Defend First Amendment

In response to increased threats to journalists and despite prior unsuccessful attempts to encourage the parties to collaborate, Lodestar, in 2017, initialed a convening of all law school clinics and nonprofits that provide pro bono legal support for public interest journalism. We also underwrote the cost of a consultant with specific nonprofit collaboration expertise to facilitate that convening and a subsequent convening several months later. In 2019, the Free Expression Legal Network (FELN) was launched, composed of 22 law school clinics, nonprofits devoted to defending journalists, and more than 20 law professors who joined together to share best practices and promote collaboration to better address challenges facing free expression by journalists. With continued support from the Lodestar Foundation, FELN has continued to expand since its launch.

Grant Information

Grant Amount: $88,700

Year Granted: 2017+

Grantee: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

Location: National

Grantee Website: Free Expression Legal Network