This monograph synthesizes the laws and regulations that form the basis of the right to representation in the court of public opinion by all who would seek to influence public and private decisions. It expresses the framework of human and social values that underlie this constitutional freedom and that give public relations and other management communication disciplines their force and importance in a democratic society. Intended to be a desk-top reference for the practitioner, this monograph provides an overview of the law and its application to public relations. When available, guidelines by government agencies or regulations have been included. The areas of the law that are covered in the monograph are privacy, copyright, advertising and corporate speech, defamation, and financial public relations. An appendix provides a reference to the Public Relations Society of America's (PRSA) code of professional standards. (MS)