"Free Speech 101: Protecting Free Expression and the First Amendment at our Nation's Colleges and Universities"

December 14, 2011 — 2 p.m.
Omni Hotel at Independence Park
401 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

FIRE is pleased to offer a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) course on December 14, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This course, entitled "Free Speech 101: Protecting Free Expression and the First Amendment at our Nation's Colleges and Universities," has been approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 2 hours of substantive law, practice and procedure CLE credit. The course is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys. Registration costs $40, and financial aid is available. Members of FIRE's Legal Network may attend free of charge. 

Alternatively, please send your name and a check for $40 made out to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education to:

ATTN: Continuing Legal Education
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
600 Walnut Street, Suite 510
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Course Description

"Free Speech 101: Free Expression and the First Amendment at our Nation's Colleges and Universities" will provide an in-depth examination of the state of the law on freedom of speech on today's college campus. The course will discuss the decades of precedent from the Supreme Court and lower courts upholding First Amendment protections on college campuses, emphasizing the primacy of free speech and academic freedom in higher education, and designating the university campus as peculiarly the "marketplace of ideas," where unfettered expression creates informed citizens and ultimately contributes to the health of our democracy.

The course will examine the fact that in spite of this judicial clarity, colleges and universities continue to maintain speech codes-university regulations prohibiting expression that would be constitutionally protected off-campus-denying students and faculty the right to free speech. Courts have without exception struck down these regulations as unconstitutional, yet colleges and universities across the country continue to maintain these unlawful and illiberal prohibitions on speech.

Attorneys participating in the course will be provided a useful overview of recent developments in the law in this field. They will also gain a greater understanding of the ways in which litigation can be utilized to protect the rights of university students and faculty and how they can become involved in such efforts.

Course Instructors

William Creeley is FIRE's Director of Legal and Public Advocacy. Creeley is a 2006 graduate of the New York University School of Law, where he served as an associate executive editor for the New York University Law Review. At FIRE, he specializes in First Amendment law. Creeley is a member in good standing of the New York State Bar, the First Amendment Lawyers Association, and the Freedom of Expression Network. William has coauthored amicus curiae briefs submitted to a number of courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Third, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits. William has appeared on national cable television and radio on behalf of FIRE, and William's writing has been published by the Chronicle of Higher Education, Jurist, Inside Higher Ed, Daily Journal, the Charleston Law Review, the Providence Journal, The Boston Phoenix, Free Inquiry, The Legal Satyricon, and others. William is a member in good standing of the New York State Bar, the First Amendment Lawyers Association, and the Freedom of Expression Network.

Azhar Majeed is FIRE's Associate Director of Legal and Public Advocacy. Majeed is a 2007 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, as well as a 2004 graduate of the University of Michigan, where he earned a B.A. in political science. During his time at FIRE, he has published legal scholarship related to First Amendment law in the Journal of College and University Law, the Georgetown Journal of Law & Public Policy, and the Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal. Majeed is a member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan, the First Amendment Lawyers Association, and the Freedom of Expression Network.

FINANCIAL AID POLICY

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) seeks to accommodate all attorneys interested in attending our Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses, regardless of financial circumstance. To that end, we are pleased to offer financial aid to all participants.

Application for financial aid is required in order to receive aid and must be received no later than three weeks prior to a course offering. CLE financial aid is available for up to 50% of selected course fees for all attorneys. Members of FIRE's Legal Network may attend FIRE CLE courses free of charge.

Attorney Discounts

Unemployed:                          Fee waived
Income up to $45,000:             Fee waived
Income up to $70,000:             50% discount
Income above $70,000:            No discount
FIRE Legal Network Member:      Fee waived

Application and Income Verification:

Attorneys interested in financial aid should send a letter explaining the reasons for your request to the mailing address noted below. Include your name, address, daytime phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address. A letter from your current employer confirming your anticipated current year earnings should be included with your submission. If you are currently unemployed, please include a personal statement confirming your current unemployment status with your submission.

Mailing address:

ATTN: Continuing Legal Education
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
600 Walnut Street, Suite 510
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Refunds:

Written notice of cancellation must be received by FIRE no later than three days before a course offering for refund of registration fee. No partial refunds will be granted following the course's commencement.

For more information, contact Will Creeley, FIRE's Director of Legal and Public Advocacy, at will@thefire.org.