Free Speech vs Digital Safety: Combatting Online Hate

Date: Dec 11, 2023 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Online

Member Price: $152

Non-Member Price: $190

Event Code: I140223

Areas of Law: For All Attorneys

Earn up to 3.3 credits! (More Information)

Faculty

Keynote

Moderator

Robert A. Bianchi, Esq.
Former Morris County Prosecutor and Certified Trial Attorney
The Bianchi Law Group, LLC, Parsippany

Presenters

David J. Bruno, Esq.
The Bianchi Law Group, LLC, Parsippany
Domenick Carmagnola, Esq.
Carmagnola & Ritardi, LLC, Morristown
James Gannon
Sheriff
Morris County Sheriff’s Office
Beth C. Manes, Esq.
Manes & Weinberg, LLC, Mountainside
is a Partner in Manes & Weinberg, Special Needs Lawyers, LLC in Mountainside, New Jersey. She concentrates her practice in special education law, special needs planning, guardianships, trust advocacy and estate planning.

Admitted to practice in New Jersey and before the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Ms. Manes is a member and Past Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Solo-Small Firm Section and a member of the NJSBA’s Elder and Disability Law Section and Education Law Committee, as well as the New Jersey Special Education Practitioners. She is a member of the Union County Bar Association, serves as Co-Chair of the Association’s Trusts, Estates and Elder Law Committee and is a member of the Union County Probate Early Settlement Panel. A member of the Board of Directors of Don’t Hide It, Flaunt It!, Ms. Manes is Past President of the Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey, Inc., which provides lifetime advocacy for people with special needs. She is a member of the Special Needs Alliance, a national organization of attorneys who work with families with special needs.

Ms. Manes served as a hearing panel chair for the State of Delaware Department of Education, overseeing special education hearings. She has lectured on special needs children in divorce topics for CLE courses and for community groups, and has raised puppies for The Seeing Eye since 2012. She is the recipient of several honors.

Ms. Manes received her B.A., cum laude, from Brandeis University, where she was the recipient of several awards and inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha. She received her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, where she was a member of the Environmental Moot Court Team, won the Best Oralist award and was the Coordinating Editor of Production of the Michigan Journal of Gender and Law.
(8/23)

In an age where the digital realm serves as a powerful platform for communication, the intersection of free speech and preventing harm becomes increasingly complex. Join us for this compelling program designed to help you navigate the challenging landscape of combating online hate while upholding the principles of free speech enshrined in the First Amendment.

Our expert panel of experienced lawyers and law enforcement professionals will provide insights and practical guidance on where the boundaries of the First Amendment end and criminal conduct begins. This program, we will explore real-world scenarios, discussing topics such as cyberstalking, domestic violence, defamation, and the delicate balance between preserving individual liberties and protecting against harm.

Join us for a timely, dynamic and engaging discussion that will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to tackle the rapidly evolving challenges posed by online hate, ensuring that the fundamental principles of free speech and the First Amendment continue to thrive in our digital age.

Program Agenda:

  • 9 | Welcome and Introductions
  • 9:05 | Constitutional Perspectives on Online Hate: Where the First Amendment Ends and Crime Begins
    • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the nuances of free speech in a digital context.
    • Determine how to identify the boundary between protected speech and criminal conduct.
    • Examine landmark First Amendment issues related to online hate before the Supreme Court.
    • Discuss the practical implications of constitutional law in combating online hate.
  • 9:35 | Countering Online Hate in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence Cases
    • Explore how online hate manifests in criminal law, particularly in domestic violence cases.
    • Assess the legal boundaries and elements of online offenses.
    • Scrutinize the fine line between free speech protection and preventing violence.
    • Analyze strategies for prosecuting online hate while respecting First Amendment rights.
  • 10:10 | Safeguarding Against Online Hate in Schools: Law Enforcement Strategies and School Legal Perspectives
    • Investigate the role of law enforcement in tackling online hate, especially in educational settings.
    • Discover proactive measures to protect students from online hate.
    • Examine contemporary legal approaches to prevent and stop cyberstalking.
    • Delve into current legal strategies for educational institutions to combat online hate while upholding students' rights.
    • Consider the unique legal challenges of addressing online hate within the school context.
  • 11:05 | Break
  • 11:15 | Defamation and Cyber Harassment in the Workplace: Navigating Tricky Legal Issues
    • Examine legal aspects of online hate in the workplace, emphasizing employee-to-employee interactions.
    • Analyze when a statement crosses the threshold to become defamation.
    • Identify actionable steps when cyber harassment crosses legal boundaries.
    • Discuss how to balance employers' concerns about hostile work environments with employees' free speech rights.
  • 11:45 | Roundtable Discussion and Q&A
  • 12 | Closing Remarks and Program Ends

CLE Credits
NJ CLE:NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 3.3 hours of total CLE credit (Full Credits Available: NJ General: 3.3).
NY CLE (t&nt):NY Professional Practice Transitional: 3.0
PA CLE:PA Substantive Credit: 2.5
New: No PACLE fee is required for this program. To earn PA CLE credits, a valid PA Bar ID number must be entered into the CLE form provided after attending the program.

Important Information About Our Events, Meetings, and More:
To secure your spot and receive important updates about our events, meetings, and other gatherings, such as schedule changes, remember to register in advance.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration and are not transferring to another program or date, please submit a written request to us at least three business days before the event, meeting, or gathering. You will receive a refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee. No refunds or registration changes will be issued within three business days of the event, meeting, or gathering.

Stay Informed:
Registered participants will be notified of any schedule changes. For updates regarding inclement weather, please check your email or visit NJSBA.com.

Media Consent:
By participating in our events, meetings, or other gatherings, you agree to be photographed and/or recorded. Additionally, all media content captured during these gatherings will become the property of NJSBA. This content, including your image and name, may be used in our future promotional materials without additional consent or compensation.

Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy:
Read our Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy and submit an Application here: https://njsba.com/njicle/cle-programs/scholarship/

 

About


Founded in 1899, the NJSBA is the largest organization of attorneys, judges and legal professionals in New Jersey. At the core of our mission is improving the lives of our members, advancing the rule of law and serving as the voice of the profession. With 85 sections and committees, the NJSBA allows attorneys to benefit from being part of the most wide-reaching legal association in the state, while still cultivating expertise and building networks within specialized practice areas.

MORE ABOUT NJSBA

Diversity


The New Jersey State Bar Association is committed to promoting and fostering a diverse and inclusive bar association. The Association recognizes that the broad concept of diversity includes race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age and disability. The NJSBA fosters and promotes an inclusive environment that gives value to the unique contributions of diverse individuals and organizations in all aspects of the Association.

Learn More

Advocacy


The NJSBA Legal and  Government Affairs Department serves as the liaison between NJSBA members and the state’s three branches of government.

News and Press Publications


Learn more about the accomplishments of the Association, its members and events from regular news updates, press releases, and our award-winning magazine.


 

Reports


Read the comments, reports, resolutions and Board of Trustee news from the state’s largest organization of lawyers, judges and legal professionals.


 

Statements and Positions


The NJSBA is the voice of the profession and takes public positions on a range of issues with the legal community and government officials. It also takes positions on legislation and files friend-of-the-court briefs on matters that impact the profession. 

Photo Galleries


Check out photos from recent NJSBA events.

View Photo Albums

Directions

The New Jersey Law Center is located at 1 Constitution Sq, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901. Need directions to the Law Center? Click on the button below to get started right away.

Contact NJSBA

NJSBA Contact Us Form
If you're looking for an attorney, click here for help.

If you cannot afford an attorney and have a civil matter, click here for Legal Services of New Jersey.

Looking for information about a specific lawyer? Contact the Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection at 855-533-3863.

Have a complaint about a lawyer? Visit the Office of Attorney Ethics website. Select “Attorney Discipline” from the navigation bar for discipline of attorneys.

Contact Info

One Constitution Square
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

732-249-5000
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

Fax 732-249-2815

Email us

Book Store


Authoritative. Comprehensive. The Industry Standard.

NJICLE legal treatises and books are written for New Jersey attorneys, by New Jersey attorneys. Our comprehensive library of books and treatises form the State’s most inclusive series of regionally focused legal materials. With titles covering virtually every aspect of New Jersey legislation, NJICLE is proud to be the professional development resource for the legal community.

You do not have permission to view this form.