Opinion ID: 2977242
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Speech Generated Under the New API Template

Text: The APIs published under the New API Template present the clearer call. A review of the APIs created using the new template confirms that the “overarching message” of the list is clearly focused on presenting the professional, objective biographical information of advocates relevant to unemployment insurance. Moreover, the UIA controls the form and style of the content to a much greater degree under the new system. The information sheet filled out by advocates no longer permits a personal narrative written in the first person. Gone are statements like, “LET’S GET IT ON!!” and “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! That’s what I will do to make sure you receive your benefits.” The template provides space for an advocate to identify relevant experience and unemployment insurance training; employment; and education. As illustrated by the Grosjeans’ attempt to include biblical references in their most recent APIs, the agency is prospectively editing the submitted material, rather than simply reacting to complaints from other advocates. While the UIA might not guarantee the accuracy of all of the biographical information in the APIs, the agency does investigate 2 On cross-appeal, the Defendants argue that the New API Template moots this case. However, whether the Defendants are currently violating the Grosjeans’ constitutional rights goes only to the Grosjeans’ prayers for prospective relief, not retrospective relief like money damages. Blau v. Fort Thomas Pub. Sch. Dist., 401 F.3d 381, 387 (6th Cir. 2005) (holding that a viable claim for relief for past infringement of a constitutionally protected right survives mootness). Moreover, much of the factual basis for the Grosjeans’ claims resulted from the Defendants’ years of inattention, inattention that might have plausibly resulted from budgetary cutbacks in their agency. There is no guarantee that similar budgetary challenges will not arise in the future. - 11 - Nos. 07-2052/07-2102 Grosjean v. Bommarito and make corrections when potential inaccuracies are brought to its attention. Thus, the UIA can be said to now approve every word of the APIs. The Grosjeans contend that whether the APIs are government or private speech is controlled by the Supreme Court’s decision in Legal Services Corp. v. Velazquez, 531 U.S. 533 (2001). In that case, lawyers funded under the Legal Services Corporation Act filed suit to declare invalid certain restrictions on the types of legal representation permitted under the act. The Court concluded inter alia that the federal government created the program in order “to facilitate private speech” between lawyers and their clients. Id. at 542. As the Court explained, “The advice from the attorney to the client and the advocacy by the attorney to the courts cannot be classified as governmental speech even under a generous understanding of the concept.” Id. at 542-53. Legal Services does not control here. The APIs published under the New API Template are wholly dissimilar to attorney-client discussions or legal advocacy. The APIs are intended to provide potential customers with some basic biographical information about the advocates who are available in a particular geographical area. The UIA receives the biographical information, assembles the information into a list, and distributes the list to potential customers. Unlike the type of advice and counseling that an advocate would give to an actual customer, there is nothing about the information in the APIs that requires confidentiality or privacy. Legal advice to a client is quintessential private speech; a short bio listing one’s training, education, and experience is not. Accordingly, under Johanns and ACLU of Tennessee, the API list generated under the New API Template is government speech. As government speech, the UIA is permitted to make content- - 12 - Nos. 07-2052/07-2102 Grosjean v. Bommarito based choices, which it has done by strictly limiting the APIs to narrow, objective professional biographies of the advocates.