The National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC) has announced it will induct Haynes and Boone, LLP Partner Laura Prather into the “Heroes of the 50 States” Open Government Hall of Fame for 2019.
The NFOIC solicits nominations every year for First Amendment “heroes” whose deeds, actions and achievements merit induction into the hall of fame. The intent is to recognize individuals whose lifetime commitment to citizen access, open government and freedom of information has left a significant legacy at the state and local levels.
Inductees are nominated by state Freedom of Information (FOI) groups, First Amendment foundations around the country, news organizations, and by others in government, media and the private sector wishing to recognize and pay tribute to a worthy individual.
Prather will join fellow inductees on Saturday, April 13, at the Hall of Fame luncheon during the NFOIC’s 2019 National FOI Summit in Dallas.
Prather focuses her practice on First Amendment, Anti-SLAPP, intellectual property and media and entertainment litigation and appeals. She has significant government relations experience as an advocate at the Texas Legislature on First Amendment and open government concerns. She advises an extensive array of content providers including online and traditional newspapers, magazines, radio and broadcasters, cable television stations, production companies and music and sports entities.
Prather was instrumental in the passage of the three most significant pieces of First Amendment legislation in recent Texas history – the reporter’s privilege, the Texas Citizens Participation Act, and the Defamation Mitigation Act. Through her efforts, Prather both formed and led the coalitions in support of all three of these measures, making Texas the 37th state to pass a reporter’s privilege, the 28th state to adopt an Anti-SLAPP statute, and the 32nd state to enact a retraction statute. All three laws are designed to promote and protect free speech rights in Texas.