Ashley Kissinger Receives Journalism Funding Partners' Inaugural First Amendment Award

Citing her “exceptional legal work” and “unwavering dedication to First Amendment issues,” Journalism Funding Partners (JFP) has granted Ashley I. Kissinger its inaugural First Amendment Award.

Since 2022, Ms. Kissinger, who is a board member of JFP, has worked on behalf of the Las Vegas Review-Journal following the murder of its reporter Jeff German. Mr. German, a standout Review-Journal reporter for over four decades, was fatally stabbed outside of his home by an elected official whom he had written about. In the wake of Mr. German’s death, Las Vegas police seized several of his electronic devices. Ms. Kissinger led the Ballard Spahr team that fought to prevent police search of the devices, which may contain confidential source information. In October 2022, the Nevada Supreme Court sided with Ms. Kissinger and the Review-Journal, holding that a third party may search his devices, but the police cannot.

JFP, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to build a network of funding sources for local newsrooms, has said it plans to give the award annually to an individual who demonstrates deep commitment to protecting the First Amendment.

Ms. Kissinger is a member of Ballard Spahr’s nationally recognized Media and Entertainment Law Group. She has represented media and entertainment companies, journalists, online speakers, and other content creators in First Amendment and related matters for 25 years. In her nationwide practice, she has defended complex defamation, privacy, and copyright infringement cases in 15 states and in the District of Columbia.

For further information, please see JFP’s press release.

For media inquiries, please contact Will Ashenmacher at 612.371.5792.