FIGHTING TO PROTECT FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS
Our Media, Publishing, and First Amendment Law Practice Group defends your freedom of speech in this rapidly changing world of new technologies. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of both traditional media and emerging digital platforms, allowing them to deliver cutting-edge counsel on expansive matters, including defamation, free speech, and newsgathering. Our clients include print and online newspapers, television and radio broadcasters, academics, and reporters.
OUR NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GROUP REPRESENTS CLIENTS ON A RANGE OF BUSINESS AND LITIGATION MATTERS, INCLUDING:
- Libel, privacy, right of publicity, newsgathering, copyright, and trademark litigation
- Prepublication and pre-broadcast review of editorial and advertising content
- Freelance agreements, releases, and permissions
- Access to public records, courtrooms, and government meetings
- Subpoenas, including confidential source issues
- Risk avoidance, training, and insurance advice
The work of our practice group extends beyond our services for media companies. We also represent public entities facing First Amendment claims or issues, as well as companies and citizens targeted by so-called “SLAPP” lawsuits intended to chill public petitioning activities.
OUR MEDIA LITIGATION AND FIRST AMENDMENT PRACTICE INCLUDES:
- Defense of libel, invasion of privacy, newsgathering, and related claims
- Prepublication and pre-broadcast review
- Responding to subpoenas, including confidential source issues
- Public records and courtroom access and appeals
- Training in libel prevention and other risk avoidance
OUR MEDIA INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PRACTICE INCLUDES:
- Registering, protecting, and licensing copyrights, trademarks, patents, and Internet domain names;
- Handling infringement claims and third-party subpoenas;
We practice media and publishing law because of our personal commitment to First Amendment values. Our group members frequently speak, write, and teach on media and First Amendment law topics, including presentations to such groups as the Practicing Law Institute, and the Massachusetts and Boston bar associations. Our group members have taught at colleges and universities throughout the region, including Boston College Law School and the Franklin Pierce School of Law.
We have received a Tier 1 ranking, both nationally and for metropolitan Boston, in the “Best Law Firms” survey published in U.S. News and Best Lawyers. The lawyers in our group have been recognized as “Best Lawyers in America” in the area of First Amendment law; named as “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars” by Super Lawyers magazine; and highlighted as “Lawyer of the Year” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.
OUR CLIENTS:
Our media clients have included:
- The Berkshire Eagle;
- Bloomberg L.P.;
- The Boston Business Journal;
- The Boston Globe;
- Courthouse News Service;
- The New York Times;
- Reuters;
- WBUR;
- WGBH;
- The Worcester Telegram and Gazette
