Explore 13 court opinions on First Amendment Free Speech Rights Of Public Employees. AI-powered plain English summaries, key holdings, and legal analysis.
13 recent cases analyzed in this topic area.
Teacher's speech not protected by First Amendment; termination upheld
Nathan v. Alamo Heights ISD, decided by Fifth Circuit on April 21, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to Alamo Heights...
PA Supreme Court Upholds Union 'Fair Share' Fees for Non-Members
Gustafson, P. v. American Fed. of State, Aplt., decided by Pennsylvania Supreme Court on January 21, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court considered whether a unio...
Ninth Circuit: Teacher's Discrimination and Retaliation Claims Fail
Thompson v. Central Valley School District No 365, decided by Ninth Circuit on December 29, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary ...
Fourth Circuit: Ex-Governor's Union Ban May Violate First Amendment
George Hawkins v. Glenn Youngkin, decided by Fourth Circuit on August 20, 2025, resulted in a plaintiff win outcome. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals considered whether a former Virginia governor's...
Teacher's speech not protected by First Amendment when made pursuant to official duties
Lavigne v. Great Salt Bay Community School Board, decided by First Circuit on July 28, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The First Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a teacher...
Ninth Circuit: Police social media criticism not protected speech if part of duties
Nadon v. Bisignano, decided by Ninth Circuit on July 25, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a preliminary injunction sought by a forme...
Former employee's speech not protected by First Amendment
Mark Hartman v. Dave Yost, decided by Sixth Circuit on July 24, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a preliminary injunction sought by ...
Public Employee's Speech Not Protected if Not Public Concern, Court Rules
Jennie Wright v. Louisville Metro Gov't, decided by Sixth Circuit on July 16, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to Lo...
Speech as Official Duty, Not Public Concern, Bars First Amendment Claim
Thomas Sheppheard v. Patrick Morrisey, decided by Fourth Circuit on July 9, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a former West Virgi...
Police officer's social media speech not protected by First Amendment
Jeffrey Clark v. Louisville-Jefferson Cnty. Metro Gov't, decided by Sixth Circuit on March 7, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summar...
Termination for Internal Grievances Not Protected Speech, Court Rules
Misty Coleman v. Hamilton Cnty. Bd. of Cnty. Comm'rs, decided by Sixth Circuit on March 7, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary j...
Speech during private meeting not protected by First Amendment
Penaranda Arevalo v. Bondi, decided by Second Circuit on March 7, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Second Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a preliminary injunction, holdin...
Teacher's speech at staff meeting not protected by First Amendment
Hartzell v. Marana Unified School District, decided by Ninth Circuit on March 5, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to...