Thomas More Law Center v. Bonta

In 2012, California demanded that the Thomas More Law Center (TMLC), a nonprofit law firm, turn over the names and addresses of its top donors to the state Attorney General’s Office. Such a demand was dangerous, unnecessary, and uncalled for. Nonprofits like TMLC haven’t done anything wrong, and the California Attorney General’s Office has a reputation for leaking confidential records online, which would expose TMLC’s donors to intimidation, death threats, and hate mail from its ideological opponents.

Thankfully, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that California’s donor disclosure regulation violates the First Amendment rights of charities and their supporters. Every American should be free to peacefully support causes they believe in without fear of harassment or intimidation. This is a win for all Americans who want to support causes that align with their values.

Case timeline

• March 2012: The California Attorney General’s Office first asked TMLC to hand over its sensitive donor information.
• March 2019: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled against TMLC, side-stepping relevant precedents in the process.
• August 2019: TMLC asked the United States Supreme Court to take up its case.
• January 2021: The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case.
• April 2021: The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Thomas More Law Center v. Bonta, which was combined with a similar case, Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Rodriquez.
• July 2021: The Supreme Court ruled in favor of TMLC, protecting donor privacy rights for all Americans.