First Amendment Lawyer

Defending free speech, peaceful assembly, religion, and the right to petition the government. If the government punished you for speaking out, we can help.

What the First Amendment Protects

The First Amendment shields you from government punishment for protected expression — not from private employers, but from any official acting under color of law.

Common Violations
Arrest or citation for protected speech
Retaliation by a public employer
Censorship at a public school or university
Permit denials targeting viewpoint
Restrictions on peaceful protest
Religious discrimination by government
What You Can Recover
Compensatory damages for harm suffered
Punitive damages against individual officials
Injunctions to stop ongoing violations
Reinstatement and back pay (employment cases)
Attorney's fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988
Public vindication of your rights

How We Build a First Amendment Case

1

Free Consultation

We review the facts and identify the constitutional theory — speech, assembly, religion, or retaliation.

2

Preserve Evidence

We send preservation letters, file public records requests, and document the government's actions.

3

Litigate § 1983

We file in federal court, defeat qualified immunity defenses, and pursue damages and injunctive relief.

No Cost Unless We Win

We typically handle First Amendment cases on contingency, and Section 1988 lets prevailing civil rights plaintiffs recover attorney's fees from the government.

  • No upfront retainer for qualifying cases
  • Attorney's fees paid by the government when we win
  • Flexible arrangements for strong claims

Talk to a First Amendment Lawyer

Tell us what happened. We'll review your case for free and explain your options.

Or call us directly:

(650) 781-8000