First Amendment Symposium – Wednesday, September 28, 2022

The First Amendment Symposium is an informative, comprehensive presentation on current trends and developments in First Amendment Free Speech law in the public sector. This course will examine caselaw in Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit. Program faculty include Gretchen E. Moore, Alan T. Shuckrow, David A. Strassburger, and Alexis M. Wheeler.

This program will include three parts:

1. Freedom of Speech and the Keyboard Jockey

Time:  1:00-2:00pm
Speaker: David A. Strassburger

Defamation and privacy laws allow an injured person to sue a speaker for money damages.  Unfortunately, many speakers, especially aggressive, online speakers, do not have money to pay a civil judgment, making most civil actions a waste of time and money.  This section of the program will explain the rights of the nettlesome poster and what restrictions the law imposes, if any, on harassing and intimidating speech.

2. Freedom of Speech and Public Officials: What Crosses the Line?

Time: 3:20-4:20pm
Speakers: Gretchen E. Moore and Alexis M. Wheeler

A unique role of a public official is to safeguard the public’s freedom of speech in a public forum, but a public official also has their own freedom of speech rights. What crosses the line of speech infringement, for both public officials and the public, is more complicated now than ever. Freedom of Speech and Public Officials: What Crosses the Line? discusses recent First Amendment precedent involving the freedom of speech and the best practices for Pennsylvanian public officials to avoid First Amendment right infringement, against the public and other public officials.

3. First Amendment in Schools: The 1-2-3 SCOTUS Punch

Time: 2:10-3:10pm
Speakers: Alan T. Shuckrow and Kathryn L. Clark

Within the last year, the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled on three First Amendment cases involving schools. This precedential year has left many students, teachers, and administrators questioning what speech and acts are permissible. One thing is for certain, the Supreme Court is sending a clear message that the First Amendment is expansive. This section of the program will discuss the evolution of student free speech and free exercise and establishment in public schools.

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