Kline & Specter is dedicated to upholding the rule of law and ensuring constitutional rights are protected. That means taking on cases and causes that advance and protect our nation’s democracy and our state and federal constitutions.
When rights are infringed upon, when political leaders attempt to intimidate and squash dissent, the only calculation that matters is doing the right thing.
Kline & Specter has a long history of advancing causes that help make society safer and better. The firm has fought for such basic rights as the right to a trial by jury and against unconstitutional measures like the statutory caps on verdicts against state agencies in Pennsylvania that prevent injured plaintiffs from being made whole.
Most recently, the firm filed a King's Bench petition with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on behalf of a group of independent voters, asking the court to declare Pennsylvania's law prohibiting independent voters from voting in primary elections to be unconstitutional. The law violates the Free and Equal Election Clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution because it doesn't treat independent voters' votes equally with those of party registrants.
In addition, because independent voters tend to be more moderate, allowing tyhem to vote in primaries would lead to a more engaged electorate and officials who are more likely to work together, regardless of party. "Our current law disenfranchises independent voters," said Kline & Specter co-founder Shanin Specter. "It is past time independent voters are given the same rights as Republican and Democratic voters."
The firm has also been a vocal opponent to President Trump’s unconstitutional executive orders targeting law firms. The firm contributed to and signed amicus briefs in support of law firms fighting the orders, and it wrote and filed amicus briefs on behalf of law students nationwide, Susman Godfrey, as well as Jenner & Block.
As those briefs point out, the executive orders targeting law firms are reprisals against law firms for “taking up representations disfavored by those in control of the executive branch.” If left in place, the briefs argue, the executive orders will weaken America’s legal system and radically alter the profession.
Specter, who has spoken out and organized against Trump’s executive orders targeting law firms, said: “This is a character test moment for every lawyer and law firm. We stand united with Big Law — who are often our adversaries in civil litigation — to oppose this illegal targeting of law firms.”
In addition, the firm has:
- Fought for the right to vote in fair and free elections
- Contributed financially to centers at law schools that are committed to the preservation of democracy
- Worked to preserve the independence of Pennsylvania’s courts and judiciary
- Helped lead efforts to protect the rights of citizens and businesses to safe streets and sidewalks
Why a Democracy Practice?
Why does Kline & Specter have a Democracy practice? Because without democracy, "there is no government by the consent of the governed, no rule of law and no legitimacy," Specter said. "In short, without democracy, there's no reason to be a lawyer."
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