Traditionally, media law referred to representing mainstream publishers and broadcasters with regard to First Amendment issues, defamation and invasion of privacy lawsuits, defense of subpoenas to reporters, issues of access to court records and proceedings, some FCC licensing work, and occasional copyright or trademark issues. However, in the Internet age and the digital delivery of information across state and national boundaries, if someone is a broadcaster, cable operator, newspaper or magazine publisher, advertising agency, blogger, Internet Web site, or Internet service provider, s/he or it is subject to the new media law, and probably on multiple levels. Today's media lawyer provides litigation, counseling, and regulatory services for the whole range of publishers, service providers, and disseminators of information, including the traditional services, but also including the protection of information and the use of information (data security and data breaches), FCC (ownership, content and rules issues) and FTC representation, E-commerce, cybercrimes, domain name issues, jurisdictional issues relating to Internet based claims of copyright and trademark infringement, invasion of privacy and defamation, and preparation of Internet-related contracts for web hosting, web site development, linking, and licensing agreements. Media law for some law firms also includes entertainment-related matters such as talent contracts, advertising law, and advice regarding contests.
Thomas M. Clyde is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Communications Law, First Amendment Law, Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law. Thomas M., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
Media Law
Recognized since 2019 by
Joel R. Weiner
Some of the most prominent companies in the entertainment business turn to Joel Weiner to handle disputes across a broad range of subject matter. With nearly 30 years of litigation experience and vast industry knowledge, he has been trusted by companies like NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Endemol Shine Group, Telemundo and Excel Sports Management with high-profile lawsuits involving series, films and other valuable entertainment properties. The entertainment industry is a magnet f...
Dan Laidman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law. Dan, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Media Law
Specific Focus
Litigation
Recognized since 2015 by
David Halberstadter
Over more than 35 years of practice, David Halberstadter, the firm's deputy general counsel, has established a reputation among leading entertainment companies as a no-nonsense advisor and talented litigator. When other options fail, he aggressively pursues and defends lawsuits, with a focus on intellectual property-related disputes. Across all his work, clients value David's clear thinking, strategic wisdom and practical business sense. David represents motion picture studios, production com...
Melanie Howard’s practice focuses on the acquisition, protection, licensing, exploitation and sale of intangible assets for major brands and individual talent. Known for her business-minded approach, she represents clients across a variety of industries, including fashion and luxury retail, esports, automotive, technology, entertainment and media, and financial. Clients regularly turn to Melanie for strategic brand protection guidance and counsel on data privacy matters in the context o...
James A. Trigg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Artificial Intelligence Law, Copyright Law, Entertainment Law - Music, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Media Law and Trademark Law. James A., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
Entertainment Law - Music
Specific Focus
Copyright
Recognized since 2010 by
Vincent H. Chieffo
Vincent H. Chieffo is an entertainment and media litigator with significant trial and appellate experience. His practice also includes entertainment transactional work. His litigation experience encompasses disputes throughout the entertainment business, including those involving copyright and trademark infringement, right of publicity, defamation, the rights of estates and heirs in copyrights and other entertainment assets, idea submission, royalties and participations, and distribution and ...
Mr. Frank is a founding partner of Frank, Gale, Bails, Murcko & Pocrass, P.C. , where he has been the President and Chief Executive Officer since 1990. He has served (by appointment of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court) as Vice Chair of the Appellate Procedural Rules Committee and currently serves (by appointment of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court) as a Chair of the Rules of Evidence Committee. Mr. Frank was a member of the Joint State Government Commission, which drafted the 2005 amendments ...
Jennifer A. Mansfield is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Media Law. Jennifer A., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Peter J. Anderson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Entertainment Law - Music, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Media Law. Peter J., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Sharon Schneier is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Media Law. Sharon, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sharon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Vince Chadick maintains a broad commercial law practice, representing corporate, public, and individual clients in litigation and regulatory matters. Over his three-decade career, he has litigated cases ranging from personal injury and class actions to business torts, governmental tax disputes, and international arbitration. Licensed to practice law in Arkansas and Oklahoma, Mr. Chadick has appeared before state and federal courts, as well as administrative agencies, in at least six states an...
Brandon Cate i s a litigation attorney based in the firm’s Northwest Arkansas office. His practice focuses on commercial litigation, including litigation involving ERISA, employment law, insurance coverage, real estate disputes, mortgage servicing, media law, and class action defense. Some of Mr. Cate’s no table successes include securing a declaratory judgment for landowners in a 27-acre adverse possession dispute near Harrison and securing a trial victory for Fayetteville homeow...
Diana Palacios is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Media Law. Diana, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Diana is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ms. Bolger is an experienced First Amendment and media litigator who has represented news and entertainment companies in a broad spectrum of content-related matters, ranging from investigative journalism to coverage of celebrities. In addition to defending media clients in court, Kate regularly counsels newspapers, magazines, and book publishers about pre-publication issues and advises authors on contract, electronic publishing, and intellectual property matters. Prior to joining LSKS, Ms. Bo...
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
We have encountered an error and are unable to send your message at this time. Please refresh the page and try again later.
By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. We use essential cookies to enhance your browsing experience. You may opt out of non-essential cookies. Read our Cookie Policy to learn more.