Alan L. Isaacman
Role at the time: Attorney arguing for Hustler Magazine and Larry Flynt
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Hustler's attorney argues that the parody is protected rhetorical hyperbole, satire and opinion.
“Now, this speech is protected as rhetorical hyperbole, it's protected as satire and parody and as the expression of opinion.”
Read the original text (opens in a new tab)Hustler Magazine v. Falwell: official oral-argument transcript · Supreme Court of the United StatesNo. 86-1278; arguments of Alan L. Isaacman and Norman Roy Grutman
Counsel present opposing arguments about parody, public figures and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
Relative to publication of the parody, Isaacman expressly defends its First Amendment protection.