Courthouse News Service
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Genre | Civil litigation |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Products |
|
| Website | courthousenews |
Courthouse News Service is an American news service primarily focusing on civil litigation.[1] It offers both free and paid services. Its core audience is lawyers and law firms, who subscribe to the service;[1][2][3] other subscribers include nonprofits, government agencies, corporations, other media outlets, and academic institutions.[3]
Courthouse News has reporters across the United States who cover proceedings in state and federal trial courts and appellate courts for its non-paywalled public website.[1][3] Its reporters also cover federal and state legislation and congressional activity. It is a member of the Senate Press Gallery.[1]
In addition to digital print journalism, Courthouse News produces a podcast called Sidebar. It launched in May 2021.[4][5]
Paid subscription service
[edit]Unlike CourtExpress and CourtLink, Courthouse News Service does not provide comprehensive docket information; rather, it alerts paid subscribers to new filings and rulings.[6]
As of 2020, the service had more than 2,200 subscribers.[3] It is a competitor to Thomson Reuters, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg.[3]
History and awards
[edit]Courthouse News Service was founded in 1990 by Bill Girdner, who remains the news agency's owner and editor.[3] It is based in Pasadena, California.[1]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group received between $2 million and $5 million in federally backed small business loans from City National Bank as part of the Paycheck Protection Program. The organization stated that the money would help it retain 256 employees.[7][8]
In 2023, Girdner received the James Madison Award for his First Amendment court victories.[9][10]
Press access litigation
[edit]Courthouse News Service has been the plaintiff in numerous First Amendment court cases seeking quicker access to new complaint filings.[9]
Idaho
[edit]In 2024, Courthouse News Service won a key victory in the Northwest where a federal judge handed down a broad ruling that enjoined Idaho’s top court official from withholding public documents.[11]
Ohio
[edit]In March of 2023, U.S. District Judge Sarah Morrison ordered the Franklin County court clerk Columbus, Ohio to stop withholding e-filed complaints from public view during a clerk review process, as a result of litigation filed by Courthouse News Service.[12]
Vermont
[edit]A federal judge in November 2021 enjoined Vermont court clerks from withholding access to e-filed complaints. She decided in favor of news outlets contesting an access blackout while clerks review and process new court filings.[13]
Other states
[edit]Courthouse News has also secured injunctions over press access battles in Virginia, Illinois, New York, Texas, and California.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "About Us". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ Jane Gordon (October 9, 2005). "Dear Blog: It's Another Day in Connecticut". The New York Times.
Dan Levine, a reporter with Courthouse News Service, a national news wire for lawyers
- ^ a b c d e f Courthouse News Service v. Schaefer, Civil Action No. 2:18-cv-39 (E.D. Va. February 20, 2020).
- ^ "Sidebar | A podcast from Courthouse News".
- ^ Sidebar by Courthouse News (News), Courthouse News, 2021-05-25, retrieved 2024-10-25
- ^ Levitt, Carole; Rosch, Mark E. (December 19, 2006). The Lawyer's Guide to Fact Finding on the Internet (3 ed.). American Bar Association. p. 388. ISBN 978-1590316719.
- ^ Syed, Moiz; Willis, Derek. "COURTHOUSE NEWS SERVICE - Coronavirus Bailouts - ProPublica". ProPublica. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ^ James Bikales (6 July 2020). "Here are the major media companies that received coronavirus relief loans". The Hill. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ^ a b FOIFT. "Courthouse News Service editor Bill Girdner to receive James Madison Award". Freedom of Information Foundation Texas. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ "FOIFT honors Bill Girdner with James Madison Award". October 6, 2023.
- ^ a b Girdner, Bill. "Courthouse News wins public access case in Idaho". Courthouse News Service.
- ^ Pullano, Nina (March 21, 2023). "Federal judge orders Columbus court to stop delaying access to new complaints". Courthouse News.
- ^ Girdner, Bill (November 22, 2021). "Federal judge enjoins Vermont clerks from withholding First Amendment access". Courthouse News.
