LAWYER PROFILE
David J Bodney

David J Bodney

USA 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Ballard Spahr LLP

USA

Practice Areas

David J. Bodney, a litigator focusing on media and constitutional law, is founder of the firm's Media and Entertainment Law Group. For over 40 years, David has defended print, broadcast, and electronic media in defamation, privacy, and related First Amendment litigation. In addition, he has significant experience litigating complex commercial disputes; handling matters involving intellectual property, American Indian law, and governmental affairs issues; and briefing several high-profile cases in the U.S. Supreme Court.

David's practice covers a range of constitutional law issues, including prosecuting actions to secure open government, blocking prior restraints and subpoenas of reporters by government and third parties, and handling advertising, commercial speech, intellectual property law, and voting rights issues. In addition, he is regularly called upon to lobby and testify in legislative proceedings involving proposed legislation on a wide variety of issues.

Career

Admissions:

Arizona

California (admitted pro hac vice)

U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (pro hac vice)

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (pro hac vice)

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (pro hac vice)

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri (pro hac vice)

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (pro hac vice)

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Colombia Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association, Past Chair, ABA Forum on Communications Law (2016-17); Member, Forum's Governing Committee; Member, Editorial Advisory Board of ABA's Communications Lawyer

National Commission of the Anti-Defamation League, 2008-2016; Honorary Lifetime Member, 2017-present

Arizona Supreme Court's Committee on Time Periods for Electronic Display of Court Records

Personal

University of Virginia School of Law (J.D. 1979, M.A. Foreign Affairs 1979), Yale University (B.A. 1976, cum laude)

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

First Amendment Litigation - USA - Nationwide

Senior Statesperson
Senior Statespeople

Individual Editorial
David Bodney is based in the firm's Phoenix office and brings a wealth of knowledge to his First Amendment practice, which sees him defend news organizations in libel and privacy lawsuits.

Ranked Individuals at Ballard Spahr LLP (189)

Alaska

Arizona

California

Colorado

Delaware

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