Daniel Ortner

Daniel Ortner joins FIRE after four years litigating on behalf of free speech and equality under the law at the Pacific Legal Foundation. Daniel has written and spoken extensively about First Amendment issues, including in The New York Times, The Hill, and The Epoch Times. His law review articles on free speech have been published in the Catholic University Law Review, BYU Law Review, and Virginia Journal of International Law among others.

Daniel graduated from Brandeis University with a double major in history and sociology. He then graduated first in his class and summa cum laude from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. After law school, Daniel clerked for Justice Thomas R. Lee on the Utah Supreme Court and Judge Kent A. Jordan on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Daniel is a member of the Virginia and California bars. He is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States and several United States Courts of Appeals and United States District Courts.

Daniel was born in Israel and moved to the United States at a young age. He is grateful for the incredible blessings of liberty that he has enjoyed in the United States, and particularly for the freedoms to think, speak, worship, and associate that are guaranteed by the Constitution. He loves to fight on behalf of individuals denied these rights, to ensure that these precious liberties remain protected and secure.

Outside of work, Daniel spends time with his wife and three beautiful daughters. He loves to play board games, watch movies, and serve in his local church congregation.