The Legal Project
"[Those] who won our independence believed ... the path of safety lies in the opportunity to discuss freely supposed grievances and proposed remedies." — Justice Brandeis
 
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Participate in the Legal Project

Report a Case

If you believe you may the target of a lawsuit because of comments you made regarding radical Islam, terrorism or related issues, we may be able to assist you in finding help.

Remember you need not be a politician, blogger, or author to fall victim to a predatory suit. While our client list includes many of the former, we have also aided individuals for example facing workplace discipline for posting comments regarding radical Islam on a web forum.

Email [email protected] to schedule a confidential meeting.

Clerkships/Internships

Legal Clerkships or Internships are available each semester and during the summer to law students and undergraduates with relevant majors.

Legal Clerks/Interns assist on a variety of projects including analysis of developments in libel law and new media (e.g., bloggers), "hate speech" litigation in Canada and Europe, movements in international law to criminalize defamation of religion, and case specific legal research.

Interns also assist on routine assignments such as news-scans, grant proposals and updating an online library of relevant cases.

Credit toward public interest or pro bono hour requirements may be available. Applicants should consult their law schools or universities.

Interested applicants should email a resume, short statement of interest, and a writing sample to [email protected].

Join Our Pro Bono Team

In addition to its policy and educational work, the Legal Project participates at a case level. We arrange for low cost or pro bono legal representation for authors and activists targeted with predatory suits by Islamists bent on silencing them. This legal aid helps neutralize predatory suits that rely for their success on victims lacking the resources to defend themselves. Our client list includes journalists, bloggers, authors and politicians, and continues to grow.

To provide this vital legal aid, the Legal Project maintains a "pro-bono list" of attorneys interested in aiding victims of predatory suits. Available projects range from large to small (e.g., handling an entire defamation case, quashing an overbroad subpoena.) As some of our clients are international, foreign attorneys are encouraged to sign up as well.

If you are interested in adding your name to the "pro bono" list please email [email protected] with your name, affiliation, area of expertise, and if there is a particular type of work you in which you would be interested in being involved.

Media Inquiries

Contact Amy Shargel at (215) 546-5406 ex. 22 ([email protected]).

Geert Wilders Lauds Legal Project

"Last June, I was acquitted of all charges by an Amsterdam court. The Middle East Forum's Legal Project ... was always there to help, advise and assist ... The importance of the MEF's Legal Project in reclaiming free expression and political discourse ... cannot be overestimated."

Geert Wilders, September 29, 2011

Read the full text of Wilders' statement

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