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.
Recent News
PA Court Orders Release of Penn State Trustee Records to Spotlight PA
November 5, 2025 - The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has ordered the state Department of Education to release Penn State University Board of Trustees records to investigative news outlet Spotlight PA. Spotlight PA is represented by the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic and co-counsel the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. The dispute began in May 2023 […]