Media & Entertainment: Litigation
USA Guide 2024 : Illinois
Band 1
Contact number
+1 312 876 8000About
Provided by Dentons
Our award-winning Media and Entertainment Litigation team has extensive experience representing virtually all of the major US newspapers, broadcasters, Hollywood studios and media companies in entertainment, First Amendment/media and intellectual property disputes, including collective defamation, privacy and newsgathering litigation, breach of contract, violation of licensing agreement, production issues and royalty accounting practices. We also counsel major news and media clients on all aspects of publishing, advertising and marketing law.
Our team has successfully defended major privacy class action litigations under the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA). Our success has earned Dentons a national reputation as a go-to defense firm in class actions brought under the VPPA and VRPA (Video Rental Privacy Act).
In the entertainment production space, as a result of our early-acquired experience in reality TV production, we have been called upon to create contract templates and what has come to be known as the "bible" of production guidelines, and regularly advise on personal privacy and issues.
The growth of technology is constantly changing the definition of media and communications. We helped shape the law surrounding Freedom of Information Act requests seeking text messages, emails and other electronic documents—an uncharted territory in an area of communication law where there is limited case law on whether electronic communications qualify as public records.
Chambers Review
Dentons houses a deep bench of media and entertainment litigators with extensive trial experience. The firm is adept at handling disputes involving privacy and IP. The attorneys represent premier newspapers, broadcasters and new media platforms in complex access and defamation disputes.
Work Highlights
- Dentons defended CBS News in a defamation lawsuit.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are top-notch and I cannot emphasize how much I rely on them. They have a great team who chip away at things. We would be lost without them."
"A top-notch firm for media in particular."
"Dentons provides great service and communication."
"They are top-notch and I cannot emphasize how much I rely on them. They have a great team who chip away at things. We would be lost without them."
"A top-notch firm for media in particular."
"Dentons provides great service and communication."
Notable Practitioners
Natalie Spears demonstrates a strong litigation practice and excels across a broad array of media and entertainment issues including IP, privacy and First Amendment litigation.
"Natalie is very practical, efficient and knows the law. She is a formidable opponent to be sure."
"Natalie is a real go-to."
Samuel Fifer acts for a wide array of clients in the media and entertainment sector, including television production companies and news organizations. He demonstrates particular strength in IP matters.
"We go to him for his specialist copyright expertise. We rely heavily on him and he never lets us down."
"He is the dean of First Amendment litigation in Chicago."
"He is very smart, responsive, knowledgeable and professional."
Ranked Lawyers at
Dentons
Illinois