11th Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Block of Florida 'Stop WOKE' Law

Ballard Spahr litigators partnered with the ACLU and the Legal Defense Fund to successfully challenge Florida's “Stop W.O.K.E.” Act in the landmark case Pernell v. Lamb. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11^th Circuit in July 2026 struck down the law's higher education restrictions as a violation of the First Amendment. The ruling drew significant national attention, including the articles below.

Law360: 11th Circ. Upholds Block of Fla. 'Stop WOKE' Law

CNBC: DeSantis-backed ‘Stop WOKE’ law meets appeals court block, teeing up possible Supreme Court fight

Bloomberg: DeSantis Loses in Bid to Revive ‘Woke’ College Lessons Ban

Florida Politics: Appeals court rules Stop WOKE Act can’t muzzle Florida professors

WLRN, Florida Public Radio: Federal appeals court strikes down Florida law restricting teaching on race, gender

WFTV Channel 9, Central Florida: Appeals court rules Florida’s Stop WOKE Act violates First Amendment