Courthouse News Service

Courthouse News Service is a nationwide news organization based in Pasadena, California, specializing in civil litigation coverage from the date of filing through the appellate level. Founded in 1990 by Bill Girdner, the service provides original news content prepared by its staff of reporters and editors across the country. Courthouse News Service offers both free and paid services, delivering timely and detailed reports on civil litigation filed in state and federal courts across the United States. Its core audience includes lawyers, law firms, nonprofits, government agencies, corporations, other media outlets, and academic institutions. The service is known for its extensive network of reporters who gather information directly from courthouses, ensuring comprehensive coverage of new lawsuits, appellate decisions, and legislative actions. In addition to its digital print journalism, Courthouse News Service produces a podcast called Sidebar, launched in May 2021, and offers a mobile app for convenient access to its content. The service is a member of the Senate Press Gallery and has been involved in numerous First Amendment court cases seeking quicker access to new complaint filings.