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First Amendment Update: Printable Guns, Patisserie, and the Free Press
Produced on November 26, 2018
Course Information
Course Description
Join accomplished New York City constitutional litigator Samuel B. Cohen for a recap of basic First Amendment principles as applied in §1983 litigation, and a survey of new decisional law out of the Supreme Court and the federal circuits. Mr. Cohen will also examine developing issues that continue to shape our marketplace of ideas in these tumultuous times.
While many may associate the First Amendment with a hazy concept of “free speech” only, there are five separate freedoms announced in the First Amendment: freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, the right to petition the government for redress of grievances, and the prohibition of an establishment of a state religion in America. These limitations on government power over individual expression and association form the vital core of our concept of civil liberties, and have all been subject to change and challenge in recent years.
In this course, we will explore new developments in how speech and expressive rights may be improperly restricted by governments, and actions that can be taken by conscientious practitioners to frustrate those improper restrictions. We will provide guidance for asserting First Amendment issues in §1983 litigation for redress of violations of rights, and provide talking points for explaining First Amendment freedoms for laypersons.
Learning Objectives:
- Recap the First Amendment and the basic rights of the First Amendment
- Discuss the new decisional law out of the Supreme Court and the federal circuits affecting First Amendment issues
- Learn about practical guidance for asserting First Amendment violations in §1983 practice
- Explore developing First Amendment issues
Credit Information
Faculty
Samuel B. Cohen
Samuel B. Cohen Law
Samuel B. Cohen is an attorney and counselor at law, admitted to practice in the State Courts of New York, the Federal Southern and Eastern District Courts for New York, and the Federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts in the Social Sciences from Hampshire College.
Samuel began his legal career as a litigation paralegal at the law firm Jaffe & Asher LLP, and served as the legal affairs director for the New York Dance Parade during law school, where he conducted independent studies in intellectual property issues, and received an award for research work in mixed for-profit/non-profit entities. Hired first as a clerk and then as an associate by prominent New York attorney Wylie M. Stecklow, Samuel discovered an aptitude and passion for civil rights litigation, and quickly rose to prominence among the civil rights bar.
Samuel lives with his wife, their devoted Boston Terrier “The Frances,” and two black cats, “Biggie” and “Puck.” He is an avid traveler and reader who enjoys finding interesting street art and exploring new places.
Reviews
Great speaker!
outstanding as if I were back at Harvard
the material was all relevant for me.
I think presenter was an absolutely wonderful speaker. I took this class only because on the CLE requirements, but I genuinely enjoyed the presentation and learned a whole lot... because of the presenter.
This was an excellent and engaging course. I will look for other materials by this lecturer.
The instructor in this program isthe best I have encountered on lawline.
The best presentation on Lawline. Excellent.
Wonderful, knowlegable speaker.........
Excellent presentation
Excellent Course
One of the best courses I've taken.
Very helpful
Speaker has a calming voice. I enjoyed this CLE.
Great course! I look forward to his future CLEs.
Very interesting
It will be interesting to see how these cases are viewed 50 years from now.
Well done and very interesting!
Excellent review of First Amendment
nice
Wonderful presentation. Very interesting!
Nice balance between history/black letter law and current developments, especially given the time limitations.
Not relevant to my work, but interesting and informative
Excellent
This program was very interesting!
Great
Interesting!
Very good
Keep up the good job
excellent course. very interesting material. good speaker.
Very good presentation.
Without exaggeration, this was one of the best presentations I've heard in quite some time!
Excellent presentation.
Excellent historical background ...
A well-done course. In general, I found the lecturer to be intelligent and clear. The course was informative and set-up in a clear way to promote comprehension and retention.
Excellent CLE.
It was interesting how this tied into current events.
Fabulous. Best speaker.
Excellent and very thought provoking presentation.
interesting, pertinent and topical.
The course content was current and very informative and offered good supportive case law.
Excellent program. Thank you.
Excellent knowledgeable speaker
Very interesting and well done.
Outstanding presentation. Really informative and enjoyable.
Very timely and interesting.
very knowledgeable!
Engaging and interesting course.
Great program on a great topic.
Enjoyed the speaker. Laughed out loud a few times!
Quite informative and well presented.
Droll, informative, not a word wasted. Great presentation.
Excellent program
Presenter was excellent.
Fantastic and timely.
I felt the speaker was excellent!
Great to SEE Sam Cohen. It's been awhile since our paths crossed in person and communicate with him on Twitter. Appreciated the addition of the most recent White House actions against Jim Acosta and CNN v. Trump.
Great presenter. Very knowledgeable, very engaging.
Excellent presenter!
Excellent work.
Very good presenter.