
Media & Entertainment: Litigation
USA Guide 2026 : New York
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Ballard Spahr LLP
Ballard Spahr’s Media and Entertainment Law practice is led by Charles D. Tobin. In New York, the team includes Senior Counsel David Schulz, Partners Tom Sullivan Jacquelyn Schell and Joe Slaughter, as well as Of Counsel Lynn Oberlander. Together, the team represents media clients in New York and across the nation in defamation, invasion of privacy, access, intellectual property, and other content-related matters.
This unparalleled group of attorneys has played a leading role in many of the most significant Media and First Amendment cases in recent years. Collectively, the group has hundreds of years of experience advising broadcasters, cable television and Internet companies, journalists, advertisers, authors and individuals on an array of media law, First Amendment, and speech-related issues. We represent clients facing defamation, invasion of privacy and related content-based claims. We work with clients both large and small, from international news organizations and multinational corporations to local newspapers and television stations, freelance journalists and individuals. We have expertise in both traditional and new media, including counseling clients before publication to avoid the risks of libel, privacy and other content-based claims, such as copyright and trademark.
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Ballard Spahr LLP acted as lead counsel for Penguin Random House and PEN America Center in a constitutional challenge to the removals and restrictions of books by the Escambia County School Board in Florida.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
The team at Ballard provides top notch First Amendment counsel with significant subject matter expertise.
Media & Entertainment: Litigation respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 3 
Band 3 
Thomas B. Sullivan
Thomas Sullivan is renowned for his expert representation of media companies in defamation and intellectual property disputes. Thomas is an excellent attorney.
Media & Entertainment: Litigation respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 
Jacquelyn Schell
Jacquelyn Schell has a burgeoning practice in media and First Amendment law. She frequently defends media companies in defamation claims and is also adept at intellectual property and privacy claims.
She is a fantastic, reliable partner that I trust deeply to provide legal counsel and guidance.
Media & Entertainment: Litigation respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 
Lynn Oberlander
Lynn Oberlander is renowned for her extensive experience in the media law sphere. She is an especially strong choice to provide prepublication review as well as counsel on contractual, copyright and licensing. Lynn's thoroughness and written communication is very clear and thoughtful.
Media & Entertainment: Litigation respondentUSALynn gives great, practical, concise advice that is easy to share with the business directly.
Media & Entertainment: Litigation respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Ballard Spahr LLP (4)
Members
Provided by Ballard Spahr LLP

Jacquelyn Schell

Joseph Slaughter

Lynn Oberlander

Thomas B. Sullivan
View profile of Thomas B. Sullivan
Jacquelyn Schell
View profile of Jacquelyn Schell
Lynn Oberlander
View profile of Lynn Oberlander
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