Mallory Rechtenbach has joined the Institute for Free Speech for a one-year term as our inaugural First Amendment Fellow. In this position, she will support the Institute’s legal team in litigation, writing amici curiae briefs and conducting legal research. As Mallory explains, “Freedom of political speech is at the core of our Republic. It is not a privilege, nor a mere right. Rather, it is the foundational right which secures all other rights. The First Amendment provides a check on governmental power and serves as a conduit for self-government through the discovery of truth, which is why IFS’s work is so imperative. I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the Institute. This position is truly the culmination of a lifelong passion for freedom of expression in all its forms.”

Mallory holds a B.A., magna cum laude, in Political Science from the University of Nebraska Omaha and recently graduated with highest distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law, earning a J.D. with a concentration in Constitutional Law. During law school, Mallory served as Articles Editor for the Nebraska Law Review and was honored as a Blackstone Fellow and the Theodore C. Sorenson Fellow.

Mallory also completed an externship with Chief Judge John M. Gerrard of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, assisted Professor Richard F. Duncan on First Amendment research, and worked as the teaching assistant to Professor Chelsi Hayden.

We look forward to Mallory’s contributions to our litigation efforts in the coming year. Please join us in welcoming her to our growing team!