The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has engaged Robert Corn-Revere as its new legal counsel, replacing famed First Amendment attorney Burton Joseph who passed away earlier this year (see “R.I.P. Burton Joseph”). 

Corn-Revere has serious First Amendment cred of his own.  He was co-counsel in U.S. vs. Stevens, in which the Supreme Court invalidated a federal law prohibiting depictions of “animal cruelty.”  He was lead counsel in U.S. v. Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc., in which the Court struck down Section 505 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  He’s currently counsel for CBS in litigation against the FCC challenging fines related to Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” during the 2004 Superbowl halftime show.  And in our personal favorite, he successfully petitioned Governor George Pataki to grant the first posthumous pardon in New York history, to comedian Lenny Bruce. 

Corn-Revere said of his new engagement, “It is an honor to be asked to advise and support the comic book industry, which has been no stranger to significant First Amendment challenges over the years.  It is particularly meaningful to me to follow in the footsteps of my friend and mentor Burt Joseph.  I only hope to live up to his example.”