Winston & Strawn Files Amicus Brief Regarding the Constitutionality of the Stolen Valor Act

On December 8, 2011, Winston & Strawn filed a pro bono amicus brief for the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Alvarez, in which the Court is deciding the constitutionality of the Stolen Valor Act; this Act makes it a federal offense to lie about having received military awards. The firm is representing a coalition of 25 military and veterans service organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, Association of the United States Army, and the Marine Corps League, among many others. The firm filed the brief in support of the Government, arguing that Congress may, consistent with the First Amendment, prohibit people who have not earned military awards from wrongfully misappropriating for themselves the prestige and goodwill that is associated with them as a result of the efforts of the Government and members of the Armed Forces.