Jackson Walker partner Marc Fuller and associate Maggie I. Burreson filed an amicus brief in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Little v. Llano County, which involves a First Amendment challenge to Llano County’s removal of books from public library shelves. Among the banned books are a classic of children’s literature, some of the most lauded nonfiction works of the past decade, and award-winning fiction and graphic novels. The amicus group includes the American Association of Publishers; the five largest book publishing companies in the U.S. – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins Publishers, Hachette Book Group, and Macmillan Publishers; independent book publisher Candlewick Press; and Scholastic, Inc., the largest publisher of children’s books.

Three amicus briefs were filed on Friday, June 2, 2023. Oral argument is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

For more information, view the American Association of Publishers news release and the brief of amici curiae. To read more, view the following articles published in the media:

• Librarians, Publishers File Amicus Briefs in Texas Book Banning Case – Publishers Weekly
• Group Challenges Arkansas Law That Criminalizes Access to Some Books – The New York Times

The case is Little v. Llano County, No. 23-50224, in the Fifth Circuit.

Meet Our Team

Marc Fuller represents publishers, internet companies, and other businesses in a variety of commercial disputes. His media litigation experience includes defamation, privacy, copyright, and other disputes over content and newsgathering. He has extensive experience representing technology companies and online services in disputes over content moderation, user anonymity, and digital privacy. Marc has also handled a broad range of litigation for nonmedia companies, focusing on appeals, class actions, and First Amendment matters. He has authored amicus briefs in media and First Amendment cases in the Texas Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court.

Maggie I. Burreson is a litigation associate who focuses on handling media and entertainment disputes for journalists, news outlets, and other media organizations. She has represented her media clients in numerous defamation, libel, and business disparagement suits. Maggie has helped author numerous amicus briefs in media and First Amendment matters in the Fifth Circuit. She also represents businesses in a variety of nonmedia matters, with a particular emphasis on class actions and appeals.

Jackson Walker’s media law group is one of the most prominent in the country, representing major clients in the television, radio, newspaper, magazine, and publishing sectors. With more than 115 years of experience in media law, the firm handles litigation and transactional matters involving news content, employment, entertainment, intellectual property, advertising, and other related matters. To learn more about the firm’s experience defending First Amendment rights, visit the Trial & Appellate Litigation and Media Law practice pages.