Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP remains active across contractual, intellectual property and First Amendment issues, as well as commercial lawsuits and internal investigations. The firm’s breadth in expertise, coupled with its major trial and appellate victories, has attracted major industry clients that trust the firm with their high-stakes legal disputes. Scott Edelman chairs the team from Century City, where he is applying his deep litigation experience to numerous ongoing trials and arbitrations. Orin Snyder co-chairs from New York and is widely respected in the space, having achieved landmark victories for tech media clients and celebrities, as well as large broadcasting and network organizations. Also based in Los Angeles is Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. , who is renowned for his crisis management expertise and trial ability in appellate courts. Ilissa Samplin, of LA, possesses impressive trade secrets expertise and has represented her corporate and individual clients in complex commercial and IP litigation. Based in the firm’s New York office, Brian Ascher complements his contractual and IP focus with a deep knowledge of the First Amendment and its legal implications. Jillian London in Los Angeles has assisted the practice’s commercial abilities with her experience at all stages of corporate disputes and a particular emphasis on antitrust and class action matters.

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s Los Angeles-based practice offers extensive California court experience and an impressive track record in major Hollywood disputes. The firm’s client base encompasses the full spectrum of ESM stakeholders, including production and distribution companies, high net worth individuals, sector associations, and major tech and new media platforms. In addition to handling leading disputes between private clients, the team is also experienced at representing private and public companies in governmental investigations and is trusted to assist with the drafting of new legislation. Team lead Marvin S. Putnam‘s portfolio spans a wide array of contentious and transactional matters, while Jessica Stebbins Bina notably represented celebrity clients in litigation relating to their promotion of FTX. Laura Washington and Robert Ellison both act in public investigations and inquiries relating to ESM matters. Copyright claims represent an essential part of the firm’s ESM work, with Andrew Gass and Joe Wetzel possessing expert capability in digital and music disputes, respectively.

O'Melveny & Myers LLP acts for a wide range of high-profile clients in traditional entertainment matters, such as IP and contractual disputes, but have also displayed the creativity to capitalize on critical contemporary points of law. Recently, the group has expanded into work relating to the strike down of affirmative action, as well as matters dealing with increased discrimination and misconduct. The firm displays its litigatory prowess by handling a genuine breadth of cases and tailoring solutions to the specificities of the entertainment industry. In Los Angeles, Molly Lens chairs the group and represents Hollywood heavy weights in high-stakes copyright and employment matters. Also, in LA is Daniel Petrocelli, who has successfully acted for every form of entertainment contributor, from artists to tech giants, in a range of disputes. From the New York office, Leah Godesky has made headlines for her work relating to the MeToo movement. The LA practice also includes Tim Heafner and Megan Smith - Heafner is noted for his work on novel profit participation issues and risk mitigation, whilst Smith is an experienced trial lawyer with expertise in complex contractual and estate claims.

Based in New York, the team at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is well versed in the intricacies of high-profile contentious matters. The firm regularly leads litigation on behalf of major media and entertainment clients, including precedent-setting copyright claims. The practice’s expertise particularly lends itself to the corporate aspects of media litigation, such as antitrust, securities, and contractual disputes. The team saw a notable victory in December 2023, winning on all counts in an antitrust dispute that determined Google had acted anticompetitively in its distribution of apps and payments, while similar litigation against Apple remains ongoing. Gary Bornstein and Kevin Orsini are experienced partners who both regularly demonstrate their court room capabilities in high-stakes commercial media disputes. Wes Earnhardt is a further key contact in the team and  represents the likes of the Walt Disney Company and Epic Games in impactful antitrust, copyright infringement, and breach of contract matters. David Korn is rising at the firm and continues to demonstrate his ability to manage putative class actions, as well as securities and commercial litigation.

 

 

Kendall Brill & Kelly is a Los Angeles-based boutique that provides quality advocacy to its clients. The firm is particularly active in the media sphere, where it represents large entertainment players in complex and challenging disputes. With years of extensive litigation expertise, the firm is capable of securing results for plaintiffs, defendants, and appellants both in and outside of the courtroom. In particular, the group has secured some high profile dismissals. Richard Kendall continues to represent his long-term Hollywood clients in high-stakes disputes and negotiations. Philip Kelly  has galvanized the firm’s copyright capabilities and has been indispensable in securing out of court settlements. The firm is also well known for its appellate work at the state and federal level, with Laura Brill  proving to be an expert in this field. Through Bert Deixler, the firm has successfully managed a variety of intellectual property on behalf of significant individuals and organizations. Nary Kim has quickly made a positive impact on the practice, including her assistance in a high-profile dismissal of a lawsuit involving the 1968 adaptation of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’

The New York-based team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is renowned for its deft handling of licensing, copyright, and contractual matters. The team attracts high-profile music clients with its precedent setting experience before the Copyright Royalty Board and rates courts. An additional result of its copyright prowess is its position at the center of critical matters addressing the legal implications of generative AI art, while the team is also well versed with the Lanham Act and has achieved numerous successes in false advertising claims. Benjamin Marks chairs the team and is currently representing Getty Images in a copyright claim against Stability AI and its image software program. Yehudah Buchweitz has assisted with novel issues relating to breaches of contract and anti-trust matters. Randi Singer works on IP matters and is well versed with the secondary liability aspects of a copyright lawsuit. David Yohai  is able to cater to top media clients in the field of commercial, IP, and class action matters.

 

 

Based in Washington DC, Williams & Connolly LLP is home to ‘top notch litigators’ experienced at all levels of the US justice system. The firm is characterized by its First Amendment expertise that attracts clients from the media sector looking to defend against defamation lawsuits. Co-chair Thomas Hentoff is a seasoned copyright litigator who recently represented photographer Lynn Smith in a Supreme Court case with wide implications for IP and the ‘fair use’ defense. Co-chair Joseph Terry is leading numerous complex matters and has also had success in significant media arbitrations. The firm’s third co-chair, Stephen Fuzesi, excels in First Amendment defense, representing media companies, journalists, and news organizations in defamation cases and government investigations. Nicholas Gamse assists his clients by identifying legal issues and matters of concern to help avoid litigation altogether, whereas Gloria Maier is key to the firm’s ability to defend clients in investigations and litigation brought by the DOJ.

Ballard Spahr LLP is a First Amendment powerhouse that is frequently called upon to represent creative clients, as well as individuals and organizations from the publishing industry. The team has taken part in widely publicized disputes, such as the defense of those accused of defamation by former President Trump, or the settled appeal of the Heard v Depp case. In Washington DC, team head Charles Tobin has argued extensively for his media clients in libel and privacy lawsuits in state, federal, and appellate courts. Team founder David Bodney conducts his practice from Arizona, covering a range of issues with potentially constitutional ramifications. In New York, Thomas Sullivan assists those accused of disseminating defamatory information and pursues document access and freedom information claims. Based in Minnesota, Leita Walker is an expert First Amendment litigator who has been acting for Netflix to defend a defamation suit arising out of the documentary ‘Making a Murderer’.

 

King & Spalding LLP’s San Francisco-based team is home to a growing media and entertainment litigation practice. Team head Kenneth Steinthal, who is ‘widely recognized as the leader in his field’, has been pivotal in establishing the firm’s reputation regarding music copyright and digital content, granting them many high-profile clients. Arwen Johnson has grown the firm’s client base by attracting studio clients and handling visual IP matters. David Mattern has carved out a niche within the firm, attending to cutting-edge matters relating to the copyright implications of AI, as well as being a key figure in bourgeoning social media addiction personal injury claims. Lena Colin is capable of assisting with the full spectrum of trademark law at any stage of the disputed claim lifecycle.

Based primarily in New York, Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s intellectual property practice is comfortable handling critical matters in the entertainment industry. The firm is assisted in its ability to manage high-profile cases by capable lawyers that are skilled in crisis management and communications, and have experience representing in at all levels of the US court system. Dale Cendali is a widely respected IP lawyer with Supreme Court experience, capable of understanding and resolving intricate, novel areas of law. Claudia Ray is a skillful copyright arbitrator and litigator. The firm’s reach is benefited by Los Angeles based Diana Torres, who focuses on false advertising, copyright, contractual issues and commercial strategy. Joshua Simmons is a seasoned appellate and trial litigator that has had success with complex IP and commercial disputes.

Loeb & Loeb LLP offers an experienced intellectual property practice that is active in the media and entertainment sphere. Its skilled litigators can handle all aspects of IP disputes in state, federal, and appellate courts; as well as arbitration tribunals. Barry Slotnick chairs from the firm’s New York office and is renowned in the music industry for his copyright expertise. In Los Angeles, Sunny Brenner combines his knowledge of IP theory with a deep understanding of the entertainment industry, Jim Curry is an accomplished litigator that focuses on distribution issues, IP, and media torts, and Tal Dickstein assists his music, motion picture, and advanced media clients with their complex legal and business issues, and John Gatti has extensive litigation and trial experience at all levels of the US judiciary. Tim Warnock, based in Nashville, is a seasoned trial litigator and an approved Rule 31 mediator in Tennessee. Wook Hwang left the firm in April 2024.

The team at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP has continued to build on its music expertise by shifting focus to artists and talent management clients, for whom it handles contract, profit participation, and IP disputes. As well as in the courtroom, the group has achieved success in strategic negotiations that promote ongoing business relationships and avoid publicity or industry embarrassment. Robert Jacobs chairs the team and specializes in significant, complex litigation involving talent agencies, artists, and corporations. Nathaniel Bach is well acquainted with the intricacies of IP litigation and also handles contractual disputes for entertainment clients. Sarah Moses is respected for her litigation skills and is currently representing Logan Paul in a high-profile class action matter relating to the influencer’s online NFT videogame.

 

Paul Hastings LLP has a strong and varied base of clients. representing them in matters involving NFTs, deepfakes, and disputes between motion pictures and streaming services. Team head Steven Marenberg acts for a number of the firm’s high-profile clients in complex matters. Tamerlin Godley is key to the practice, able to wield her in-depth industry expertise in her advisory and litigatory roles. Bo Pearl focuses on the First Amendment and its many implications for the media and entertainment sphere. Susan Leader and Josh Gordon are both strong litigators and trial lawyers, with several victories on behalf of entertainment clients. Ali Rabbani joined in May 2023 from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, bringing skills in class action defense and breach of contract claims.

As well as handling litigation involving copyright and defamation, Proskauer Rose LLP is skilled in delicate employment matters that involve sensitive and confidential information. The nature of this work demands a discretion that the team is able to use to avoid media scrutiny and prevent industry embarrassment. In Los Angeles, Anthony Oncidi leads the strategy and arguments behind numerous high-profile labor matters. Team head Sandra Crawshaw-Sparks splits her time between New York and LA; utilizing pre litigation and negotiation skills to protect her clients’ reputations and businesses. Based in New York, Keisha-Ann Gray represents clients in litigation and internal investigations relating to discrimination and workplace harassment on behalf of high-profile media organizations or individuals.

 

 

Pryor Cashman LLP has a robust music litigation offering that caters to some of the largest publishers, labels, and recording artists. Donald Zakarin is a pre-eminent litigator that has achieved numerous copyright triumphs and has extensive experience before the Copyright Royalty Board. Ilene Farkas has a solid history of success with intellectual property claims on behalf of both audio and visual clients. Matters relating to digital music are a mainstay of Frank Scibilia‘s practice, as is his representation of the Mechanical Licensing Collective. Benjamin Semel is active in the music streaming space and has been pivotal to some of the US’s largest digital piracy cases. James Sammataro is a multi-faceted entertainment lawyer, as capable with musical IP as he is with libel and defamation. All mentioned lawyers are based in New York, bar Sammataro, who is based in Florida.

Brown Rudnick LLP combines legal expertise with industry and market knowledge to protect the brands and reputations of its celebrity clientele. The team is trusted to lead highly publicized litigation and can advise on the full range of media law, from contract negotiation through to dispute resolution. Benjamin Chew is an effective counsellor and advocate, capable of handling high-profile defamation lawsuits and assisting corporate clients with business matters. Camille Vasquez is a skillful litigator who notably played a key role in the Depp v Heard case. Stephen Best  assists media clients with corporate issues including governance, securities, internal investigations, and compliance.

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP is home to ‘expert First Amendment litigators’, offering ‘decades of experience’ in the field. The team’s skills in this regard have attracted clients from both new and traditional media platforms. The firm is also acting on cutting-edge matters, such as representing Clearview AI in ongoing multi-jurisdictional privacy class actions. Co-chair Joel Kurtzberg is praised as ‘an expert on media law’, while co-head Landis Best handles matters relating to defamation, privacy, tortious interference, and is trusted by the courts to prepare amicus briefs on important issues. Floyd Abrams is a highly regarded attorney, known for his impactful First Amendment work.

The varied team at Greenberg Traurig LLP is distinguished by its First Amendment understanding and successes with defamation disputes, intellectual property matters, and freedom of information claims. Michael Grygiel co-chairs from the firm’s Albany office where he is committed to advocating on behalf of news organizations in publication claims. Co-chairing from Los Angeles, Vincent Chieffo‘s extensive trial and appellate experience includes copyright, defamation, and rights of publicity matters. In Los Angeles, Mathew Rosengart is a focused litigator, whose recent successes include high-profile defamation defense proceedings in the film and music spaces. In Albany, Kelly McNamee focuses on media and First Amendment law, with experience defending news organizations and conducting applications for access to government records and documents.

Conducting its work in Los Angeles, Katten‘s bench of skilled attorneys receives praise for its trial experience and resolution of legal and business disputes.  Zia Modabber heads the practice and is a talented litigator and assists with complex, nuanced points of law. David Halberstadter assists a network of TV clients with corporate disputes, including matters relating to financing, production, and distribution of entertainment content. Joel Weiner has amassed considerable experience in copyright, contract, and business torts which he uses to bring the the firm numerous anti-SLAPP successes, high-profile dismissals, and impressive victories in arbitrations.

 

 

 

Mayer Brown is highly regarded for its traditional music work but has also established a reputation as a key firm for digital and internet copyright matters. Co-head Paul Fakler has continued to build on his extensive rate setting experience by leading a number of royalty negotiations and litigations on behalf of associations and broadcasters. Co-head John Mancini is a successful IP litigator whose knowledge of new media and technology has proven useful for his corporate client base. Jacob Ebin can assist new and traditional media clients in variety of rate courts and with a range of litigation matters, including antitrust and licensing disputes. William Patry joined from an in-house position in June 2023 and is based in New York, as are all previously mentioned attorneys.

 

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, renowned for its cable TV representation, also assists a wealth of media stakeholders. Brad Karp co-chairs the practice, and recently resolved a multibillion-dollar securities and class action lawsuit involving the CBS board of directors. Lynn Bayard is highly regarded by her sport and entertainment clients for her work on complex intellectual property issues. Co-chair Jessica Carey is valued for her ability to manage high-profile class actions and discreet arbitrations. Jay Cohen is a music specialist that acts as lead counsel to ASCAP. Former Assistant Solicitor General to the DOJ, Kannon Shanmugam, is a top appellate lawyer based in Washington DC. All mentioned lawyers are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

 

 

 

Susman Godfrey LLP excels in complex disputes across a range of industries. In the media and entertainment space, the firm has litigated IP claims, defamation disputes, and difficult antitrust matters. Kalpana Srinivasan acts as co-managing partner, having secured high-value settlements, as well as significant, precedent-setting victories. Davida Brook‘s tech law understanding proved to be a useful tool in her recent representation of Dominion Voting Systems, in which she secured a $757 million deal in a defamation lawsuit brought against Fox News. New York’s Bill Carmody attends to plaintiffs and defendants, and recently concluded a massive $203 million settlement, following a ‘global, decade long, multi-media, defamation campaign.’ Lawyers are California-based unless otherwise stated.

WilmerHale‘s social media emphasis and Washington DC presence have facilitated a central role in widely publicized disputes between its clients and political figures. The team’s First Amendment capabilities are employed to defend the rights of its clients to moderate content, as well as fight claims that insist their moderation has been insufficient. Team head Ari Holtzblatt has achieved successes for Twitter, Meta, and other digital media players protecting editorial discretion via the First Amendment and section 130. In California, Thomas Sprankling‘s tech and contract expertise have been useful in his defenses of social media companies and their right to monitor users and content.