Williams-Yulee v. Florida Bar

575 U.S. 433 (2015)

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Williams-Yulee v. Florida Bar

United States Supreme Court
575 U.S. 433 (2015)

SC
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Facts

The Florida Bar (plaintiff) prohibited elected judges and judicial candidates from personally soliciting funds for their campaigns. The prohibition did allow a candidate to write thank-you notes to donors and a candidate’s campaign committee to solicit donations on the candidate’s behalf. Lanell Williams-Yulee (defendant) ran for a seat on a county court. Upon announcing her candidacy, Williams-Yulee sent a letter to all county voters, soliciting donations to her campaign. The Florida Bar filed a disciplinary complaint against Williams-Yulee. In response, Williams-Yulee challenged the constitutionality of the Florida Bar’s donation-solicitation prohibition. The Florida Supreme Court ruled that the prohibition was constitutional. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Roberts, C.J.)

Concurrence (Ginsburg, J.)

Dissent (Alito, J.)

Dissent (Kennedy, J.)

Dissent (Scalia, J.)

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