| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Genre | Civil litigation |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Products |
|
| Website | www |
Courthouse News Service is an Americannews service primarily focusing on civillitigation.[1] It offers both free and paid services. Its core audience is lawyers andlaw 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 andcongressional activity. It is a member of theSenate Press Gallery.[1]
In addition to digital print journalism, Courthouse News produces a podcast called Sidebar. It launched in May 2021.[4][5]
UnlikeCourtExpress andCourtLink, 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 toThomson Reuters,LexisNexis, andBloomberg.[3]
Courthouse News Service was founded in 1990 by Bill Girdner, who remains the news agency's owner and editor.[3] It is based inPasadena, California.[1]
During theCOVID-19 pandemic, the group received between $2 million and $5 million in federally backed small business loans fromCity National Bank as part of thePaycheck Protection Program. The organization stated that the money would help it retain 256 employees.[7][8]
In 2023, Girdner received theJames Madison Award for hisFirst Amendment court victories.[9][10]
Courthouse News Service has been the plaintiff in numerous First Amendment court cases seeking quicker access to newcomplaint 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 clerkColumbus, 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
