Thomas R Burke

Practice Areas

Tom Burke defends speech and content across all mediums – representing internet companies; networks; studios; book, magazine and news publishers; and authors, journalists, photographers, documentary filmmakers, and environmental groups. With over 30 years of trial and appellate experience in California's state and federal courts, Tom's practice covers the full spectrum of content liability issues including First Amendment and the defense of libel, privacy and copyright claims. A veteran newsroom lawyer, Tom regularly provides prepublication counseling and defends journalists facing subpoenas for unpublished information and confidential sources. He also regularly litigates high-profile state and federal public records lawsuits. Tom has successfully handled hundreds of anti-SLAPP motions and is the author of "Anti-SLAPP Litigation" (The Rutter Group 2013-present). Since 2002, he has taught media law at the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California, Berkeley.

Tom is a member of the firm's Executive Committee.

Professional Memberships

Chair, DWT Pro Bono and Public Service Committee, 2018-present

Lecturer, J255, Law & Ethics, Graduate School of Journalism, University of California, Berkeley, 2002-present

Member, National Board of Advisors, Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, 2013

Governing Board of the ABA Forum on Communications Law, 2008-2011

Appointed Member, Commission for Impartial Courts, California Task Force on Judicial Campaign Conduct, 2007-2009

Co-chair, Freedom of Information Committee, Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, 2006-2008

Member, Internet Law, Membership and Prepublication Review Committees, Media Law Resource Center, 2002-present

Legal Advisor, First Amendment Coalition, 1990-present

Legal Advisor, Student Press Law Center, 2008-present

Member, San Francisco Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, 2009-present