Department profile
Ballard Spahr LLP

Media & Entertainment

USA Guide 2026 : District of Columbia

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Ballard Spahr LLP

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About

Provided by Ballard Spahr LLP

Ballard Spahr’s Media and Entertainment Practice Group has the most wide-ranging and far-reaching First Amendment and media law practice in the United States. Our lawyers have played a leading role in many of the most significant Media and First Amendment cases in recent years. Collectively, we have hundreds of years of experience advising and representing content providers of all types and sizes – from international television broadcasters to start-up websites and from the nation’s leading newspapers to small book publishers and everything in between. 

Our attorneys regularly defend local, national, and international media companies in an array of content-related matters, including defamation, privacy, intellectual property, and newsgathering litigation. We also routinely counsel media clients before broadcast and publication to avoid the risks of libel, privacy, and intellectual property claims, and to assist them in their news and information gathering. In addition, we help clients secure access to public records, court documents, and government proceedings. And, we represent content providers in responding to civil and criminal subpoenas that seek information related to newsgathering, confidential sources, and anonymous online speech.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Media & Entertainment - District of Columbia

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Ballard Spahr LLP is an impressive firm with a deep bench of attorneys and a strong foundation of expertise in cutting-edge First Amendment disputes. The group is engaged by traditional and new media organizations to litigate defamation and access-to-information claims. It is also adept in IP and rights of publicity disputes arising in the context of media and entertainment.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Ballard Spahr LLP represented Alan Suderman, an investigative reporter for The Associated Press, in a defamation lawsuit brought by André Pienaar, a British executive whose investment firm focuses on the cybersecurity, space

    and energy sectors.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Ballard Spahr understand our world. Its attorneys are experts in the area and do great work.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

  • Ballard Spahr's experience in media law is unparalleled. I can always count on it to provide timely and practical advice.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

  • Ballard Spahr has deep experience, and its attorneys are passionate about the work they do to support their clients.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

  • Ballard Spahr is the gold standard for complex media work. The team is strategic and deeply experienced.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

  • The team is prompt, enjoyable to work with, helpful and incredibly intelligent. It understands what we are trying to achieve and provides great advice.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Seth D Berlin
    Seth D Berlin

    Seth D Berlin

    Seth Berlin is a skilled litigator with particular prowess in First Amendment matters. He is regularly engaged to defend defamation claims and has significant experience in dealing with Freedom of Information Act matters.

    • Seth is the best there is.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

    • Seth is an outstanding collaborator and strategic thinker.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

    • Seth is an amazing litigator.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

    • Seth is a really impressive attorney.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

    • Seth is a wonderful attorney.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
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  • Chad Bowman
    Chad Bowman

    Chad Bowman

    Chad Bowman acts on behalf of media companies as well as non-governmental organizations in a range of First Amendment matters. He impresses with a high-profile roster of clients.

    • Chad is a terrific lawyer.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

    • Chad is approachable, responsive and easy to work with. He's highly knowledgeable and gives advice that’s practical and actionable.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

    • Chad understands our concerns and makes sure our voice is heard.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
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  • Charles D Tobin
    Charles D Tobin

    Charles D Tobin

    Charles Tobin has earned a stellar reputation for his First Amendment practice. He is frequently engaged in high-profile defamation and Freedom of Information Act disputes on behalf of leading news organizations.

    • Charles is an industry leader in the space. He is sophisticated and tells it like it is.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

    • Charles has unparalleled experience in media law. He is an excellent litigator.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
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  • Jay Ward Brown
    Jay Ward Brown

    Jay Ward Brown

    Jay Ward Brown is sought out by major newspapers and television networks to handle complex First Amendment disputes. He has litigated defamation, privacy, copyright, subpoena, and access matters in the US Supreme Court, federal and state appellate courts, and trial courts around the country.

    • Jay is the first stop we make for all litigation matters. He puts us in touch with the appropriate attorneys at his firm and makes sure we're taken care of, every step of the way.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

    • Jay has been the top lawyer for several years for us and we would recommend him highly. He has outstanding knowledge of the law as it relates to liable and media concerns.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

    • Jay is the best. He is extremely smart, personable and we trust him implicitly.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

    • Jay is a wonderful attorney.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
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  • Alia Smith
    Alia Smith

    Alia Smith

    Alia Smith is of counsel in the firm's media and entertainment practice in Washington, DC. She is recognized for her work in the publishing and broadcasting sectors, with particular expertise in copyright matters.

    • Alia is smart, knowledgeable, practical and steady. She's a strategic thinker and is very good on her feet.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
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  • Matthew Kelley
    Matthew Kelley

    Matthew Kelley

    Matthew Kelley is of counsel in the firm's Washington, DC office. He is an experienced media lawyer, with expertise handling defamation, freedom of information and privacy matters.

    • It is a joy to work with Matthew. He is smart and knowledgeable, always providing helpful advice and guidance.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
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  • Emmy Parsons
    Emmy Parsons

    Emmy Parsons

    Emmy Parsons is increasingly recognized for her adept representation of media and entertainment companies, with particular strength in defamation and access litigation.

    • Emmy is so pleasant to work with and very knowledgeable.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

    • Emmy is a terrific lawyer.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
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  • Maxwell Mishkin
    Maxwell Mishkin

    Maxwell Mishkin

    Maxwell Mishkin is increasingly prominent in the First Amendment litigation space. He frequently advises on behalf of news organizations and journalists in defamation, access, intellectual property and privacy issues.

    • Maxwell is sharp, thoughtful and great to work with.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
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Ranked Individuals at Ballard Spahr LLP (8)

District of Columbia

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