Porzio, Bromberg & Newman Secures Federal Court Victory Upholding New Jersey's Judicial Privacy Law

Porzio, Bromberg & Newman P.C. secured a significant federal court victory on behalf of its client, Atlas Data Privacy Corp., in litigation defending the constitutionality of New Jersey’s judicial privacy statute, commonly known as Daniel’s Law. In a decision issued April 23, 2026, the U.S. District rejected a First Amendment challenge to the statute, reaffirming its role in protecting members of the judiciary and law enforcement, and their families,  from violence and threats of harm.

Daniel’s Law was enacted in 2020 following the tragic killing of Daniel Anderl, the son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, by a former litigant who located the judge’s home address online. The statute restricts the disclosure of specific personal information—including home addresses and unlisted telephone numbers—of active, formerly active, and retired judicial officers, prosecutors, and certain law enforcement officials, as well as their family members. It also provides civil remedies against data brokers that fail to remove protected information after receiving proper takedown notices.

Atlas Data Privacy Corp. has brought multiple enforcement actions against data brokers that failed to comply with those requirements, which in turn sparked a series of constitutional challenges to Daniel’s Law. In the most recent ruling, U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III held that, even under strict constitutional scrutiny applicable to political speech, the statute serves a compelling governmental interest and is narrowly tailored to address an increasingly serious and widespread public safety threat. The court also rejected claims that the law is overinclusive, finding its restrictions limited and carefully calibrated.

Atlas was represented by a Porzio team led by Vito A. Gagliardi, Jr., Managing Principal of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman P.C. and Co‑Chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, along with Alfred Brunetti, a Data Privacy Principal who leads the firm’s Data Privacy Practice Team, and Sarah Wisniewski, a Litigation Associate. Porzio has played a significant role in defending Daniel’s Law across multiple high‑profile matters, including successful appellate rulings and New Jersey Supreme Court decisions affirming the statute’s constitutionality.

“This ruling is the latest confirmation that Daniel’s Law strikes the right constitutional balance while addressing very real safety concerns,” said Gagliardi. “Porzio has repeatedly defended the statute through multiple challenges, and courts have consistently recognized the legitimacy of its protections. The decision affirms the statute’s enforceability against constitutional challenge.”

The decision was recently covered by Law360, underscoring the broader significance of the ruling within the legal and data privacy communities.

The ruling represents another significant litigation victory for Atlas Data Privacy Corp. and further strengthens Daniel’s Law as a critical safeguard protecting judicial and law enforcement officials throughout New Jersey.