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Hugh Stevens participates in Pope Center First Amendment Day Panel
SMVT partner Hugh Stevens participated in a First Amendment Day celebration at UNC-Chapel Hill. The purpose of the panel was to discuss recent campus events or significant cultural moments with free speech implications. Stevens … did offer a remedy—more exercise of the First Amendment, not less. He told the students to counter “offensive” or “disagreeable” ideas…
Read MoreAmanda Martin quoted on school board meeting in private home
The Silva Herald has reported on a school board’s decision to hold their meeting in a private residence. The Herald quoted SMVT partner and N.C. Press Association attorney Amanda Martin: N.C. Press Association attorney Amanda Martin told The Herald that the meeting location does meet the letter of the law; however, if she were writing…
Read MoreMike Tadych quoted on military equipment secrecy
SMVT partner Mike Tadych was quoted by WRAL on secrecy surrounding local authorities in North Carolina acquiring military equipment from the federal government. The localities claim the secrecy arises from security concerns. From WRAL: Mike Tadych, a Raleigh attorney who represents media organizations including WRAL News, said he doesn’t see how the security exemption would…
Read MoreMike Tadych quoted on DHS failure to produce records
Recently, WRAL reported on state Department of Health and Human Services officials’ failure to produce emails requested by the news organization. The request was made more than a year ago. The story quotes SMVT partner Mike Tadych on the North Carolina Public Records Law, which says that the public records must be produced as “promptly…
Read MoreBrandon J. Huffman Quoted on Closed Meeting in Carteret County
The Carteret County News-Times has published a story on a meeting between the Carteret County Commissioners and Gov. McCrory. The article quotes SMVT associate Brandon J. Huffman on whether the meeting, which included a quorum of the Commissioners, might have violated North Carolina’s open meetings law. “They can meet so long as they are not conducting,…
Read MoreMike Tadych Quoted on Trade Secrets in University Public Records
Recently, WRAL reported on North Carolina State University official’s claim that public records laws have interfered with their ability to commercialize University research. The report quoted SMVT partner Mike Tadych: Mike Tadych, a Raleigh attorney who specializes in open-government disputes, says companies can work around the public records law by not providing trade secrets to…
Read MoreCourt Unseals Parts of Documents in Investigation of Killing of UNC Student Faith Hedgepeth
Wake County Superior Court Judge Howard Manning Jr. partially unsealed search warrants Wednesday related to the 2012 death of UNC-Chapel Hill student Faith Hedgepeth. The News & Observer reports that the court allowed release of redacted versions of the search warrants, but kept an autopsy report and 911 calls sealed. SMVT partner Hugh Stevens represented the…
Read MoreAmanda Martin Quoted on Charter School Records Proposal
The North Carolina House has approved legislation that would block charter school employees’ names from being disclosed with their pay. The Charlotte Observer reports on the proposal in an article published today. The article quotes SMVT partner Amanda Martin on the proposal. Amanda Martin, lawyer for the N.C. Press Association, called it “a horrible amendment.” ……
Read MoreAmanda Martin Quoted on Closed Meetings in Salisbury
Recently, the Salisbury Post reported on the Rowan-Salisbury School System’s acquisition of property for a new central office on main street in Salisbury. The paper reports that prior to the announcement of the transaction, the school board members met in closed session, then made a brief vote in open session. The article quoted SMVT partner…
Read MoreAmanda Martin Quoted on Public Records Law in Salisbury
Recently, the Salisbury Post reported on the city of Salisbury refusing to release information about a former employee’s severance package. The city argued that information was not public because the employee resigned. The article quoted SMVT partner Amanda Martin: Amanda Martin, attorney for the N.C. Press Association, disagreed. “No, there is nothing about a resignation…
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