Williams-Yulee v. The Florida Bar (U.S. Supreme Court)

Although more than 30 states elect their judges, most prohibit judicial candidates from personally soliciting campaign contributions. In this case, Lanell Williams-Yulee signed and sent a mass-mail letter requesting contributions to her campaign for county court judge. She was later sanctioned under Florida Canon of Judicial Conduct 7C(1), which prohibits such solicitations. On her behalf and in conjunction with the Yale Supreme Court Clinic, we filed a petition presenting the question whether a rule of judicial conduct that prohibits candidates for judicial office from personally soliciting campaign funds violates the First Amendment. The Court granted the petition, and the case was argued in January. A decision is forthcoming.