Media & Entertainment
USA Guide 2024 : District of Columbia
Band 1
Contact number
+1 202 973 4200About
Provided by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Our D.C. Media and Entertainment practice continues to handle high-profile matters, along with a wide range of media and entertainment litigation and related intellectual property, technology, and transactional work.
Our group is the team of choice for many top media, entertainment, news, and content companies. We counsel on acquisition, development, production, pre-broadcast and pre-publication review, claims response, advertising, promotions, pre distribution, intellectual property, and other issues for emerging and traditional news and entertainment clients. We have represented such clients this year before the U.S. Supreme Court and in federal and state trial and appellate courts.
We have dramatically grown our entertainment practice. We increasingly work for producers and distributors of television, film, and video game projects, including in title clearance and trademark protection, acquisitions, program development, production, and the promotion and distribution of content. We have a growing presence in esports, gaming, and experiential entertainment.
In 2021, we were recognized by Chambers USA Nationwide as a “Band 1” firm in both the Media & Entertainment: First Amendment Litigation and in the Media & Entertainment categories in New York, California, and Washington, D.C. We were also named “Law Firm of the Year” by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in the “Media Law” and “Copyright Law” categories, and for the fifth year in a row, “Practice Group of the Year” by Law360.
Chambers Review
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is home to a superb media litigation practice which is able to address the full range of contentious challenges faced by traditional and digital media clients, including access to information, First Amendment and IP disputes. The team is experienced in representing clients before state, federal and appellate courts, including the US Supreme Court. It is also frequently sought out to provide pre-publication review to leading newspapers, websites and publishers.
Work Highlights
- Davis Wright successfully defended Disney against allegations of defamation, brought by an anti-vaccine activist following her appearance on a daytime TV talk show.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They have a broad set of attorneys in the media space providing both breadth and depth in terms of media law questions. They are excellent for what I need."
"They're great advocates for their clients. The team is knowledgeable of the law and really strong at pushing for their clients' interests."
"I find the quality of their strategy to be very high as well as the scope of knowledge and the understanding of the industry."
"They have a broad set of attorneys in the media space providing both breadth and depth in terms of media law questions. They are excellent for what I need."
"They're great advocates for their clients. The team is knowledgeable of the law and really strong at pushing for their clients' interests."
"I find the quality of their strategy to be very high as well as the scope of knowledge and the understanding of the industry."
Notable Practitioners
Laura Handman acts for an impressive roster of clients, including major newspapers, media companies, publishers and non-profit organizations. She is called upon to handle high-stakes defamation and access disputes.
"She is a seasoned litigator with a broad knowledge of defamation law and brings this to bear in the various issues in which we come to her for counsel."
Nathan Siegel is a go-to media lawyer with noted experience defending libel, privacy and right of publicity disputes. He is recognized for his high-profile talent work, representing global streaming services, national news outlets and a number of celebrities and politicians.
"Nathan has a deep understanding of the law and how to strategize with it. He is very thoughtful and innovative, thinking outside the box to find a solution that will work."
"His analytical skills are terrific and his knowledge of the law is extensive, meaning you can come to him with any issue and he'll know the most recent judgments relating to it."
Alison Schary has an active media and entertainment litigation practice. She is experienced with matters relating to intellectual property and displays particular expertise in defamation defence.
"She is incredibly smart, talented and a very zealous advocate for her clients. She knows how to litigate a case inside and out and is a master of the factual record and case law."
"Alison is a strong production lawyer, understanding various responsibilities and personalities, and excellent with injunctions."
Eric Feder is an experienced litigator with particular experience in First Amendment disputes in addition to intellectual property matters.
"In addition to an encyclopedic knowledge of media law, Eric is a thorough and detail-oriented lawyer."
"Eric is an excellent attorney, someone I rely on for advice."
Chelsea Kelly has a burgeoning practice which sees her advise a range of clients in the media and entertainment industry. Her experience encompasses First Amendment, copyright and trademark work.
"Chelsea is very respected and is excellent at translating legal terms to lay people. She is very clear about what is needed and what our next steps are. She is incredibly approachable and personable."
Ranked Lawyers at
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
District of Columbia
Members
Provided by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP