Legal Support

Unless you are a faculty member at a public university or involved in student media, case submissions must be sent through our confidential online form. If you are a faculty member at a public university, you can call FIRE’s Faculty Legal Defense Fund Hotline at 254-500-FLDF (3533) in addition to using the online form. Student journalists, student media, and their advisors can contact FIRE’s Student Press Freedom Initiative Hotline at 717-734-SPFI (7734) in addition to submitting online.

We defend rights at private universities and colleges, too. While private institutions are not obliged by the Constitution to guarantee students or faculty members particular rights, including freedom of expression, many advertise or promise freedom of expression, academic freedom, due process, and other rights. Those promises should be honored, and FIRE aims to make sure they are.

FIRE takes your privacy seriously. If you contact us, we will not disclose non-public information that you share with us concerning your case submission or contact anyone (including your employer, institution, or government agency) about your dispute without your permission (or a court order). While FIRE’s advocacy efforts often benefit from bringing public pressure on institutions to correct their actions, we will not disclose non-public information or documents you provide to FIRE without your express consent.

It’s highly unlikely that your institution or employer will retaliate against you for standing up for your rights. In many cases, particularly at public institutions, doing so may even be unlawful. If an institution is violating your rights, it’s more likely to be careful when it becomes apparent that third parties are aware of what the institution is doing.

You should avoid doing so. Your ability to communicate with us privately may be at risk if you use an account that could be monitored by your school or employer. You should use a personal email address to communicate with us whenever possible.