Register Now for New Round of Freedom of Information Lessons with Local Attorneys
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org
The New England First Amendment Coalition is continuing its series on freedom of information laws with new classes on state open meeting statutes.
The classes will feature a local attorney who will provide an overview of their respective state’s open meeting law and answer questions from those who attend.
This latest round of classes will be provided by NEFAC with support from the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation, SPJ New England, the Rhode Island Foundation, MuckRock and the New England Society of News Editors.
Previous lessons can be viewed on NEFAC’s YouTube channel or through its new multimedia FOI Guide. Registration is free and open to all members of the public.
The latest in a series of lessons — taught by leading open government experts, attorneys and journalists — on the federal Freedom of Information Act and state FOI laws.
Each class will be moderated by Emily Sweeney, a journalist at The Boston Globe and author of the books “Boston Organized Crime” and “Gangland Boston.” Sweeney currently writes the Blotter Tales column which appears in the Globe every Sunday. In addition to serving on the NEFAC Board of Directors, she’s also president of the New England Society of News Editors.
CONNECTICUT | June 22 | 6 p.m.
Dan Barrett is the ACLU of Connecticut’s legal director. His interests include mass surveillance, anonymous speech and maximizing democratic control of government through transparency.
NEW HAMPSHIRE | June 29 | 6 p.m.
Gregory V. Sullivan serves as general counsel for the Union Leader Corporation. He teaches First Amendment Media Law at Suffolk University Law School in Boston and at the Nackey Loeb School in Manchester.
RHODE ISLAND | July 13 | 6 p.m.
Raymond A. Marcaccio is the co-founder of Oliverio & Marcaccio LLP. He represents local news media organizations and brings claims for access to public records and court and government proceedings.
VERMONT | July 20 | 6 p.m.
Lia Ernst is legal director at the ACLU of Vermont, where she litigates civil liberties, civil rights and open government cases. Ernst also advocates before state and municipal governmental bodies.
MAINE | July 27 | 6 p.m.
Sigmund Schutz is a partner at Preti Flaherty in Portland. He has been newsroom counsel to Maine’s largest news organization for more than 20 years. Schutz frequently defends broadcast and print media.
MASSACHUSETTS | August 3 | 6 p.m.
Jon Albano is a partner at Morgan Lewis. His practice is focused on commercial, media, and appellate litigation, as well as representing newspapers, entertainment and news broadcasters, and publishers.
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
Leadership Circle donors include the Rhode Island Foundation, Hearst Connecticut Media Group, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, and the Robertson Foundation. Major Supporters include Boston University, WBUR-Boston, the Academy of New England Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation, Genie Gannett, Linda Pizzuti Henry, Connecticut Public and GBH-Boston.