The University of Georgia School of Law will create a First Amendment Clinic thanks to a $900,000 gift from the Stanton Foundation, an organization established by former television broadcasting executive Frank Stanton.
The clinic will support First Amendment rights by focusing on regional cases involving free speech, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly and petition. It will also enhance law students’ understanding of the First Amendment and serve as a resource for organizations, students, journalists and citizens defending and advancing First Amendment issues.
“The law school community is excited about this partnership, which will not only support the First Amendment, but also give our law students the chance to protect the rights of individuals and to raise civic awareness in communities throughout the Southeast as they learn how to navigate cases and assist clients so they will be effective lawyers after graduation,” said School of Law Dean Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge.
A nationwide search has been launched to identify a director for the new clinic.
Stanton, a longtime president of CBS, was a staunch defender of the First Amendment and its protection is a core goal of the Stanton Foundation.
“We are grateful to the Stanton Foundation for this gift and look forward to helping support First Amendment protection issues with this clinic,” Rutledge said. “The creation of the First Amendment Clinic adds to the School of Law’s robust clinical and experiential learning opportunities and furthers our mission to educate the next generation of lawyers so they can become leaders in their communities.”
