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]
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]
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]
Courthouse News Service has been the plaintiff in numerous First Amendment court cases seeking quicker access to new complaint filings.[9]
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]
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]
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]
Courthouse News has also secured injunctions over press access battles in Virginia, Illinois, New York, Texas, and California.[11]
Dan Levine, a reporter with Courthouse News Service, a national news wire for lawyers
general
This is the start of the #general chat. #general is a chat channel to discuss anything related to the hub.
