Department profile
Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck PC

Media & Entertainment

USA Guide 2026 : District of Columbia


Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck PC

Rankings

About

Provided by Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck PC

Rothwell Figg provides clients with legal guidance leavened by tested and proven knowledge gained through representing some of the most renowned names and media brands in the world. Our lawyers have the hands-on technical knowledge and experience needed to counsel clients concerning digitization, artificial intelligence ("AI") and machine learning, the Internet of Things, and a host of other cutting-edge topics, as well as handling matters related to IP, privacy, defamation, and First Amendment law. We assist media clients with:

  • Obtaining IP protection, including patents, trademarks, and copyright registrations, as well as advising on trade secret matters.
  • Defending against IP infringement claims. We have defended our media clients in more than 80 lawsuits alleging patent infringement. These typically involve the technical features of their industry-leading websites or their delivery mechanisms for content.
  • Enforcing our clients' IP.
  • Defending the integrity of their content. We are their advocates when others steal their content by circumventing paywalls, impersonate their reporters, scrape their websites, or attempt to interfere with their reporting.
  • Libel issues and providing pre-publication libel review of potentially controversial material. We counsel media entities, reporters, authors, and publishers on a wide variety of defamation-related issues.
  • Company-critical topics, such as privacy, the implications of data security, and the use of open-source code.

Clients (15)

  • NBCUniversal
  • The New York Times
  • Fox
  • The Wall Street Journal
  • Dow Jones
  • News Corp.
  • Bloomberg
  • Princeton University Press
  • Forbes
  • Advance Publications/Conde Nast
  • Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS)
  • TripAdvisor
  • Home Box Office (HBO)
  • MediaNews Group
  • Showtime Networks

Industries (5)

  • Newspapers
  • Broadcasting
  • Streaming service providers
  • Travel websites
  • Theme parks

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Media & Entertainment - District of Columbia

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For
Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck PC's media and constitutional law practice group displays impressive capabilities in a range of matters including patent and copyright infringement claims, First Amendment litigation and privacy matters. The firm frequently undertakes business-critical disputes on behalf of clients in film and television, publishing, journalism and new media sectors.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck PC filed and prosecuted several trademark applications and maintained registrations for Baby Cow Productions, a movie studio based in the United Kingdom.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Rothwell is always prepared and understands the key issues. The team provides thoughtful strategies that are tailored to the situation and industry at hand.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
  • Rothwell understands our business and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
  • Rothwell is diligent and knows our business well.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
  • Rothwell's turnaround time is impressive. Its team is excellent from the way it deals with clients to how it engages with opposing parties.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
  • Rothwell provides not just analysis of the law, but it mixes in intelligent and practical guidance, too.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 3Steven Lieberman
    Band 3Steven Lieberman

    Steven Lieberman

    Steven Lieberman is recognized for his deep experience in First Amendment law and his sophisticated handling of AI issues in the media sector, positioning him to effectively litigate and advise across these domains.

    • Steven is an excellent lawyer and counsellor with terrific judgement.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
    • Steven is an outstanding lawyer who really understands our business and what our legal needs are. He is very strategic.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
    • Steven is a great lawyer. He is super smart, practical and tells you what he thinks.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
    • Steven is incredibly skilled and an expert in his field.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
  • Band 4Sharon Davis
    Band 4Sharon Davis

    Sharon Davis

    Sharon Davis adeptly assists clients in the media and entertainment sector, with a particular focus on streaming, television and journalism.

    • Sharon is extremely knowledgeable, practical and strategic. Her experience in the industry is very valuable to us.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA
    • Sharon keeps her eye on the big picture and does not get muddles in weeds.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck PC (2)

District of Columbia

Members

Provided by Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck PC

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