The First Amendment Clinic

The Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic’s dual mission is to teach students important aspects of the First Amendment and to vigorously defend its clients’ First Amendment rights.  Through coursework and cutting edge First Amendment litigation and advocacy, students gain theoretical and practical skills while achieving the best possible outcomes for its clients. The Clinic houses the Local Journalism Project, an innovative initiative that provides focus to the Clinic’s work on behalf of local and community news outlets and journalists, as well as the Local Government Project, which examines how democratic values—especially free expression—are functioning at the local government level.

In a recent eCornell Keynote, Clinic Director Mark Jackson joins Advisory Board member and Cornell Law School professor Michael Dorf to reflect on the Clinic’s impact, the urgent challenges we face, and the work still ahead. A Cornell Law School Forum article, "Safeguarding Democracy by Defending Free Speech and Enabling a Vibrant Press" by Eileen Korey, highlights Mark’s deep commitment to fighting for free speech.

Help Ensure the Clinic's Future

Click the donate button at the bottom of this page to join our $1 million campaign to endow the Mark H. Jackson Directorship, securing the future of the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic. This effort honors Mark’s lifelong commitment to free speech while ensuring the Clinic can continue its vital work for years to come. Your support may have an even greater impact: reaching our $1 million goal will help us unlock an additional $2 million in foundation funding for the Clinic—tripling the power of your gift to protect and advance First Amendment rights.