Humphreys, Hutcheson & Moseley v. Donovan
This case involves the Chattanooga law firm Humphreys, Hutcheson & Moseley challenging the application of sections 203(b) and 204 of the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA). The firm engaged in labor persuader activities for Southern Silk Mills, Inc., to dissuade employees from unionizing, specifically through speeches by partners William P. Hutcheson and Ray H. Moseley. The plaintiff argued that § 203(b) did not apply due to the disclosed nature of their activities, violated First Amendment rights, and that § 204 exempted them from disclosure based on attorney-client privilege. The Secretary of Labor counterclaimed to compel compliance. The court denied the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment and granted the defendant's, ruling that the LMRDA's disclosure requirements apply to the firm's persuader activities and do not violate the First Amendment. Furthermore, the court found that the § 204 attorney-client exemption is parallel to common law privilege and does not preclude disclosure of the information required by § 203(b). The plaintiff was ordered to comply with the reporting requirements.