Robert Corn-Revere
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bob" Corn-Revere is an American First Amendment
attorney. Corn-Revere is currently a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine
and an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute
. Corn-Revere was named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Media & Entertainment by Chambers USA, 2005–2010 and “Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers,” Top in First Amendment/Media/Advertising, Law & Politics, 2008-2010.
advocacy.
From 1997 to 1999, Corn-Revere served as co-counsel alongside attorneys from People for the American Way
for plaintiffs in the Mainstream Loudoun v. Loudoun County Library case in which the court declared public library
internet filtering to be unconstitutional. At the same time, Corn-Revere also served a co-counsel in Bernstein v. United States
in which the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
declared software source code
to be constitutionally protected by the First Amendment
and government regulations, specifically export restrictions on encryption software
, to be unconstitutionally vague.
In 2000, Corn-Revere argued United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group
on behalf of respondent Playboy Entertainment Group before the Supreme Court of the United States
. In a 5-4 decision, the court struck down portions of the Communications Decency Act
which required that cable television operators who offered channels "primarily dedicated to sexually-oriented programming" must scramble completely or fully block such material.
In 2003, Corn-Revere successfully lobbied New York Governor George Pataki
to issue a posthumous pardon for comedian Lenny Bruce
.
In 2007, Corn-Revere defended CBS
against an FCC suit resulting from the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy
.
In 2009, Corn-Revere served as co-counsel for respondent in United States v. Stevens
in which the upreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court of the United States
ruled , a federal statute criminalizing the commercial production, sale, or possession of depictions of cruelty to animals
, was an unconstitutional abridgment of the First Amendment
right to freedom of speech.
Also in 2009, Corn-Revere represented Michael James Berger in a suit against the City of Seattle which challenged the constitutionality of the city's restrictions of the public forum in the Seattle Center, a multipurpose cultural and entertainment venue. After an initial victory at the trial level, the city appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
where a three-judge panel overturned the lower courts' ruling. When the appeal was heard en banc
by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
they reversed their earlier ruling and upheld the trial court's finding.
In 2010, Corn-Revere served as local counsel for the successful legal defense of adult film producer John Stagliano
.
Currently, Corn-Revere represents CBS
, Fox Television Stations, The Yes Men
, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
, and T. Hayden Barnes.
, Corn-Revere served as Partner at Hogan & Hartson LLP, Chief Counsel to Chairman James H. Quello of the Federal Communications Commission
, and as Associate at Hogan & Hartson, Associate at Steptoe & Johnson LLP.
From 1987-2001, Corn-Revere was an adjunct professor at the Columbus School of Law
, Catholic University of America.
. From 2000 to 2002, Corn-Revere served on the Board of the American Library Association
Freedom to Read Foundation.
from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
in 1983. Prior to law school, Corn-Revere obtained an M.A.
from the University of Massachusetts
in 1980 and a B.A. from Eastern Illinois University
in 1977.
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
attorney. Corn-Revere is currently a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is a national business and litigation law firm representing clients in the United States and in China. In 2008, the National Law Journal ranked the firm 98th largest in the United States based on attorney headcount. In 2008 , Davis Wright Tremaine ranked No...
and an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute
Cato Institute
The Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1977 by Edward H. Crane, who remains president and CEO, and Charles Koch, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the conglomerate Koch Industries, Inc., the largest privately held...
. Corn-Revere was named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Media & Entertainment by Chambers USA, 2005–2010 and “Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers,” Top in First Amendment/Media/Advertising, Law & Politics, 2008-2010.
First Amendment Advocacy
Corn-Revere has a long history of First AmendmentFirst Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
advocacy.
From 1997 to 1999, Corn-Revere served as co-counsel alongside attorneys from People for the American Way
People For the American Way
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy group in the United States. Under U.S. tax code, People For the American Way is organized as a tax-exempt 501 non-profit organization.-Purpose:...
for plaintiffs in the Mainstream Loudoun v. Loudoun County Library case in which the court declared public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
internet filtering to be unconstitutional. At the same time, Corn-Revere also served a co-counsel in Bernstein v. United States
Bernstein v. United States
Bernstein v. United States is a set of court cases brought by Daniel J. Bernstein challenging restrictions on the export of cryptography from the United States....
in which the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a U.S. federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Alaska* District of Arizona...
declared software source code
Source code
In computer science, source code is text written using the format and syntax of the programming language that it is being written in. Such a language is specially designed to facilitate the work of computer programmers, who specify the actions to be performed by a computer mostly by writing source...
to be constitutionally protected by the First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
and government regulations, specifically export restrictions on encryption software
Encryption software
Encryption software is software whose main task is encryption and decryption of data, usually in the form of files on hard drives and removable media, email messages, or in the form of packets sent over computer networks.-Security:...
, to be unconstitutionally vague.
In 2000, Corn-Revere argued United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group
United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group
United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group, 529 U.S. 803 , is a case in which the United States Supreme Court struck down a portion of the Communications Decency Act which required that cable television operators who offered channels "primarily dedicated to sexually-oriented programming" must...
on behalf of respondent Playboy Entertainment Group before the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
. In a 5-4 decision, the court struck down portions of the Communications Decency Act
Communications Decency Act
The Communications Decency Act of 1996 was the first notable attempt by the United States Congress to regulate pornographic material on the Internet. In 1997, in the landmark cyberlaw case of Reno v. ACLU, the United States Supreme Court struck the anti-indecency provisions of the Act.The Act was...
which required that cable television operators who offered channels "primarily dedicated to sexually-oriented programming" must scramble completely or fully block such material.
In 2003, Corn-Revere successfully lobbied New York Governor George Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
to issue a posthumous pardon for comedian Lenny Bruce
Lenny Bruce
Leonard Alfred Schneider , better known by the stage name Lenny Bruce, was a Jewish-American comedian, social critic and satirist...
.
In 2007, Corn-Revere defended CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
against an FCC suit resulting from the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy
Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy
Super Bowl XXXVIII, which was broadcast live on February 1, 2004 from Houston, Texas on the CBS television network in the United States, was noted for a controversial halftime show in which Janet Jackson's breast, adorned with a nipple shield, was exposed by Justin Timberlake for about half a...
.
In 2009, Corn-Revere served as co-counsel for respondent in United States v. Stevens
United States v. Stevens
United States v. Stevens, 559 U.S. ___, 130 S.Ct. 1577 was an April 20, 2010 decision by the Supreme Court of the United States, which ruled that the version of 18 U.S.C...
in which the upreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
ruled , a federal statute criminalizing the commercial production, sale, or possession of depictions of cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the infliction of suffering or harm upon non-human animals, for purposes other than self-defense. More narrowly, it can be harm for specific gain, such as killing animals for food or for their fur, although opinions differ with...
, was an unconstitutional abridgment of the First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
right to freedom of speech.
Also in 2009, Corn-Revere represented Michael James Berger in a suit against the City of Seattle which challenged the constitutionality of the city's restrictions of the public forum in the Seattle Center, a multipurpose cultural and entertainment venue. After an initial victory at the trial level, the city appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a U.S. federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Alaska* District of Arizona...
where a three-judge panel overturned the lower courts' ruling. When the appeal was heard en banc
En banc
En banc, in banc, in banco or in bank is a French term used to refer to the hearing of a legal case where all judges of a court will hear the case , rather than a panel of them. It is often used for unusually complex cases or cases considered to be of greater importance...
by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a U.S. federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Alaska* District of Arizona...
they reversed their earlier ruling and upheld the trial court's finding.
In 2010, Corn-Revere served as local counsel for the successful legal defense of adult film producer John Stagliano
John Stagliano
John Allen Stagliano , also known as Buttman, is an American entrepreneur, pornographic actor, producer and director, who founded and owns the Evil Angel pornographic film studio.-Early life and career:...
.
Currently, Corn-Revere represents CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, Fox Television Stations, The Yes Men
The Yes Men
The Yes Men are a culture jamming activist duo and network of supporters created by Jacques Servin and Igor Vamos. Through actions of tactical media, The Yes Men primarily aim to raise awareness about what they consider problematic social issues. To date, the duo has produced two films: The Yes Men...
, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a United States non-profit organization created in 1986 to protect the First Amendment rights of comics creators, publishers, and retailers covering legal expenses....
, and T. Hayden Barnes.
Background
Prior to Davis Wright TremaineDavis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is a national business and litigation law firm representing clients in the United States and in China. In 2008, the National Law Journal ranked the firm 98th largest in the United States based on attorney headcount. In 2008 , Davis Wright Tremaine ranked No...
, Corn-Revere served as Partner at Hogan & Hartson LLP, Chief Counsel to Chairman James H. Quello of the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
, and as Associate at Hogan & Hartson, Associate at Steptoe & Johnson LLP.
From 1987-2001, Corn-Revere was an adjunct professor at the Columbus School of Law
Columbus School of Law
The Columbus School of Law, also known as CUA Law, is the law school of The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C..Over 900 Juris Doctor students attend CUA Law. Incoming classes are typically composed of two to three hundred students, including day and night programs. Around 3,500...
, Catholic University of America.
Community Involvement
Corn-Revere is a member of the First Amendment Lawyers Association, a member of the Media Institute First Amendment Advisory Council since 1997 (Chair, 1997–2003; Board of Trustees, 1997–2003), a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Pike & Fischer's Internet Law & Regulation, and a member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and SciencesInternational Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences
The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences or IADAS was founded in 1998 in New York to help drive the progress of the Internet and evolving forms of new media. The academy selects the nominees and winners for the Webby Awards, and their European equivalent, the Lovie Awards.Membership...
. From 2000 to 2002, Corn-Revere served on the Board of the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
Freedom to Read Foundation.
Education
Corn-Revere graduated with a Juris DoctorJuris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
Columbus School of Law
The Columbus School of Law, also known as CUA Law, is the law school of The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C..Over 900 Juris Doctor students attend CUA Law. Incoming classes are typically composed of two to three hundred students, including day and night programs. Around 3,500...
in 1983. Prior to law school, Corn-Revere obtained an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from the University of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts
This article relates to the statewide university system. For the flagship campus often referred to as "UMass", see University of Massachusetts Amherst...
in 1980 and a B.A. from Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University is a state university located in Charleston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1895 as the Eastern Illinois State Normal School, a teacher's college offering a two-year degree, Eastern Illinois University gradually expanded into a comprehensive university with a...
in 1977.