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.
Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
Entertainment Law - Theater
Specific Focus
COVID-19
Recognized since 2016 by
M. Graham Coleman
M. Graham Coleman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television, Entertainment Law - Theater and Media Law. M. Graham practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized M. Graham Coleman since 2016. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which M. Graham Coleman is held by o...
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...
Mr. Siegel represents media clients in First Amendment, intellectual property, and entertainment law cases in trial and appellate courts throughout every region of the country. He also provides pre-broadcast and pre-publication counseling to a wide range of print and web publishers, television networks, and film producers. Mr. Siegel's litigation practice covers a variety of issues for media clients, and has included successfully defending ESPN in defamation suits brought by major sports pers...
Dennis L. Wilson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Media Law. Dennis L. practices law in Los Angeles, California Best Lawyers has recognized Dennis L. Wilson since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Dennis L. Wilson is held by other lawyers.
Jeffrey Hunt practices in the area of commercial litigation, with particular emphasis on First Amendment, media, and intellectual property law. Mr. Hunt has more than 20 years’ experience litigating complex commercial cases involving a wide variety of industries and legal issues, including copyright, trademark, and patent enforcement actions; injunctions; securities litigation; enforcement of non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure covenants for employers, foreign litigati...
Holly A. Melton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Advertising Law and Media Law. Holly A. practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Holly A. Melton since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Holly A. Melton is held by other lawyers.
Mark Bailen is the founder of Bailen Law in Washington, District of Columbia. For more than 25 years, he has represented multinational corporations, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, media companies, and individuals in litigation and counseling matters. Before founding Bailen Law in 2022, Mark was a partner at an AmLaw 100 law firm for more than 16 years. He has served as counsel of record in hundreds of matters in courts throughout the United States. Mark’s practice includes M...
A leader in the music industry for over 40 years, Lee Phillips has earned a reputation for intelligence, creativity and integrity in representing major musicians, recording artists, composers, record companies and publishing companies. Lee focuses primarily on contract negotiations within the music industry and acts as the general legal advisor to a multitude of artists and companies in this field. His clients have included and include a variety of internationally renowned performers and cele...
Linda Steinman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Copyright Law and Media Law. Linda practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Linda Steinman since 2017. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Linda Steinman is held by other lawyers.
Alison Schary is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law. Alison practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Alison Schary since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Alison Schary is held by other lawyers.
Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
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 ...
Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
Specific Focus
Appellate
Recognized since 2007 by
Elizabeth A. McNamara
Elizabeth A. McNamara is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Copyright Law, Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television, First Amendment Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Media Law. Elizabeth A. practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Elizabeth A. McNamara since 2007. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the profe...
Nationally recognized authority in defamation law. Focused on protecting, defending and vindicating the most valuable asset many people and companies have—their reputations. In addition to being an accomplished business litigator for 25 years, Mitch Langberg serves as co-chair of the firm's Crisis Management Group. He brings his unique perspective on communications and media relations to brewing crises and those that have already erupted. Mitch works with individuals and companies to pr...
Stuart A. McMillan is a partner in the Charleston office of Bowles Rice LLP and leader of the firm’s Mass & Toxic Torts Practice Group. His primary practice areas include civil trial and appellate litigation and he tries cases in both federal and state courts throughout West Virginia. He has tried numerous cases to verdict, including libel, defamation, trespass and bodily injury lawsuits. Mr. McMillan is experienced in and frequently lectures on issues pertaining to civil litigation...
Ambika Kumar is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Media Law. Ambika practices law in Seattle, Washington Best Lawyers has recognized Ambika Kumar since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Ambika Kumar is held by other lawyers.
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.
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