Public First Law Center

The Public First Law Center, formerly known as the Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest, is a nonprofit public interest law firm based in Hawaii. Established in 2013 by Pierre Omidyar, founder of Honolulu Civil Beat, the organization underwent a name change in 2024 to better align with its mission[2][3].

Mission and Activities

The primary mission of the Public First Law Center is to promote transparency and accountability in government. The organization advocates for the public's right to access government information and records, striving to ensure that government activities are conducted openly and responsibly[3][5]. Its activities include providing free legal guidance on access to government information, submitting testimony before legislative bodies, and pressing for improved public access to government records[2][3].

Achievements

A notable achievement of the Public First Law Center is its role in a protracted legal battle over police misconduct records, which led to a legislative change making these records publicly accessible, aligning with other public employee misconduct records[2]. The organization has also pushed for legislation to modernize open meetings, requiring disclosure of board packets to better inform the public, and it has updated procedures for remote meetings post-pandemic[2]. Additionally, Public First Law Center has worked to preserve the integrity of the Office of Information Practices, the state agency responsible for enforcing public access laws[2].

Staff and Operations

The Public First Law Center is led by Brian Black, who serves as its president and executive director. It has expanded its team to include additional attorneys such as Ben Creps, a former deputy attorney general, and hosts fellowship positions, currently held by graduates of the University of Hawaii law school[2].

The organization's focus remains on advancing public rights and promoting government transparency through legal advocacy and community education[3][5].