Michael Elkin

Michael Elkin

New York, NY recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023
Alston & Bird LLP

257 Best Lawyers awards

Alston & Bird LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television Entertainment Law - Music Litigation - Intellectual Property

Biography

Michael is a precedent‑setting trial and appellate lawyer who defends technology and media companies in industry‑defining copyright and digital media disputes, helping clients manage existential risk, reshape liability standards, and protect innovative distribution models.

Michael Elkin, three-time Am Law Litigation Daily “Litigator of the Week” winner, represents technology, media, publishers, and entertainment companies in complex intellectual property disputes arising from the distribution of digital content and the use of emerging technologies. Michael’s practice includes trial and appellate litigation involving copyright, trademark, patent licensing, and trade secret claims, particularly matters addressing secondary liability, user‑generated content, and generative artificial intelligence applications.

Michael has extensive experience litigating claims under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, including disputes involving safe‑harbor protections, and large‑scale allegations tied to subscriber or platform activity. He has tried bet-the-industry digital media trials and argued appeals that have helped shape the boundaries of copyright law in the digital media revolution. He regularly represents internet service providers, online platforms, and content distributors facing claims with significant financial exposure.
Alston & Bird LLP

257 Best Lawyers awards

Alston & Bird LLP logo

Overview

  • Brooklyn Law School, J.D., graduated 1985
  • Brooklyn Law School, J.D., graduated 1985

Client Testimonials

Michael is the very best lawyer and litigator. He is very smart and creative and can explain the most complex IP concepts clearly and concisely not only to a judge and jury but also his client.

Bill Sagan (Wolfgang's Vault)

Michael Elkin is a superior litigator, excellent at depositions, and preparation of his client. He is extremely intelligent, does what he says he will do, very competitive, and knows how to win. He is the best lawyer I have ever known.

Bill Sagan (Wolfgang's Vault)

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
  • Entertainment Law - Music
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Arbitration
  • Communications Law
  • Copyright Law
  • Media Law

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