Press Release | Dec 12, 2024Honigman Secures Win for Journalist in FOIA Case Against Michigan Department of Corrections

Detroit - Honigman today announced the firm, working pro bono alongside the ACLU of Michigan, settled a Freedom of Information (FOIA) case with the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) on behalf of independent journalist Daniel Moritz-Rabson. Honigman will donate $15,000 in attorneys' fees recovered from the settlement to the ACLU of Michigan.

The case stems from MDOC's denial of Moritz-Rabson's 2023 public information request concerning video footage of an alleged incident of inmate abuse, in violation of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. MDOC denied Moritz-Rabson's internal appeals, prompting the Michigan ACLU and Honigman to file suit.

"The Freedom of Information Act is a manifestation of one the core beliefs of democracy: that citizens have a right to know what their government is doing," said Dan Korobkin, ACLU of Michigan legal director. "We're thankful for Honigman's continued collaboration and generosity in our efforts to defend this right."

Honigman and the ACLU were able to leverage their working relationship established in a similar case, Woodman v Department of Corrections, when MDOC denied FOIA requests from freelance journalists Spencer Woodman and George Joseph in 2023. As part of that case, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that courts cannot reduce attorneys' fees awards for lawyers working pro bono.

"FOIA victories are important, not just for journalists or attorneys, but for all residents of Michigan," said Rian Dawson, partner at Honigman. "We're glad to support the ACLU's important work on freedom of information with our time, our experience, and financially with the attorneys' fees recovered in this case. We look forward to continuing this partnership with the ACLU and advocating on behalf of journalists in Michigan."

The Honigman team included Robert M. Riley, Rian C. Dawson and Anna Transit.

About Honigman

Honigman LLP is an Am Law 200 full-service, general business law firm with more than 350 attorneys counseling clients on complex issues across the country in Chicago, Michigan (Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Lansing), Washington, D.C. and in our newest wholly owned subsidiary office in Israel. Our lawyers counsel clients on complex issues in more than 60 areas of law. For more information, visit www.honigman.com.

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