Jake Robbins ’25 and Chelsea Summers ’25, two students with the Stanton Foundation First Amendment Clinic at Vanderbilt Law School, delivered oral argument in Open Justice Baltimore v. Baltimore City Law Department on October 29, 2024. Students represented two journalists and a nonprofit organization before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The case raises First Amendment retaliation and viewpoint discrimination claims that arose out of a series of requests made through the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), Maryland’s state public records law. Faced with numerous delays, stalling tactics, and the imposition of unreasonable fees, Plaintiffs filed their complaint in June 2022 and are seeking review of a determination by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland dismissing the claims.
“Watching our students advocate at the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on such vital issues of First Amendment rights and transparency is an incredibly proud moment,” shared Professor Jennifer Safstrom, the clinic’s supervisor. “Their commitment and skill in presenting these complex arguments exemplify the power of experiential learning and the profound impact young lawyers can make in defending the rights of journalists and nonprofit organizations. This case is not just about legal theory; it’s about the critical importance of government accountability and upholding the freedom of expression against retaliatory acts in the administration of the records request process.”
Robbins shared, “It was an absolute honor to deliver oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. We feel quite fortunate that such a rare opportunity was made available to us through the First Amendment Clinic.”
“I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had through clinic this semester,” noted Summers. “I never would have expected to deliver oral argument as a law student, and it was a highlight of my experience here at Vanderbilt.”
