Paul Alan Levy (’76) of Public Citizen Litigation Group will be discussing Online Free Speech and other Practical Issues for First Amendment Lawyers.

Practical Considerations in Litigating Online Speech Cases

Offensive online speech litigation is a burgeoning area of the law, given the technological advances over the past few decades. Attorneys must be cognizant of the “fallout” associated with prosecuting and defending speech-related cases. Suits about online defamation and other claimed wrongs have enormous First Amendment concerns, and various online communities will quickly defend even the most offensive speakers. In that vein, there are many pitfalls associated with online speech cases that aren’t present in normal lawsuits over speech. Paul Alan Levy, a nationally known free speech litigator, will discuss practical issues that arise when such lawsuits are brought, or even threatened, with particular reference to how accused speakers can manage to afford a legal defense, and how they and their lawyers can respond (or minimize the impact of possible litigation).   Although the bulk of the discussion will relate to defense tactics and perspective, he’ll also discuss how those who really do face wrongful speech can take effective action without getting hammered publicly. He will give examples from his own cases and as well as others. Although there will be discussion of specific legal issues, the focus will be on practical considerations.