Pro Bono Team Secures Free Speech Victory for PETA

A pro bono team of Latham lawyers recently helped secure a First Amendment victory for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). As a result of the efforts of New York associate Tené Johnson and Washington, D.C. partner Andy Clubok, PETA is now able to move forward with placing an ad at Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Airport that encourages viewers to go vegan and consider purchasing non-leather luggage.

PETA approached our firm after its ad was initially rejected by the public airport. When PETA asked the airport for an explanation, including whether the ad violated any advertising policy, the airport simply failed to respond. PETA suspected that the rejection was the result of viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment.

Our lawyers issued a public records request and found evidence that the airport officials charged with approving advertisements rejected PETA’s ad simply because they disapproved of the organization’s viewpoint.

With Latham’s support, PETA was able to resubmit the ad, which the airport has agreed to display in brochure format.