Media & Communications Law
Overview
When victory is the only option, media and communications clients turn to Lightfoot's experienced litigation counsel.
Often, a clear victory is often the only option for media and communications clients facing litigation. Reputations, livelihoods and the fates of entire companies are often on the line. At Lightfoot, we are known for our tenacious advocacy on behalf of clients in the media and communications space, and we bring all of our considerable trial and courtroom skills to bear on these matters.
Lightfoot clients include newspapers, broadcasters, publishers, national and regional telecommunications service providers, reporters and distributors. We have represented media-related entities in matters ranging from defamation and invasion of privacy lawsuits to First Amendment, government access, censorship, copyright and talent retention claims. Journalists and publishers also seek our counsel prior to publication to help mitigate the risk of potential litigation.
We pride ourselves on not only securing the best result for our clients, but also implementing processes that increase efficiencies and streamline the litigation process. For example, in addition to helping clients defend their intellectual property rights under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Lightfoot created an extranet that allows them to access paperless files and manage document production for cases around the country.
Lightfoot lawyers bring this same level of attention and case management diligence to every matter they handle. Whether protecting a journalist’s sources under shield laws or pursuing access to public records on behalf of media outlets, we are always focused on the details.
Representative Matters
- Securing a complete dismissal of defamation claims against a broadcasting company. Our innovative approach involved persuading the judge to assess the sufficiency of the plaintiff’s grounds prior to reaching summary judgment. This strategic move led to the judge dismissing the suit in its entirety, setting a precedent for similar cases in media law.
- Securing summary judgment on behalf of an NBC affiliate to dismiss a series of defamation and fraud claims against the NBC affiliate regarding its reporting on charges against a criminal defendant. The Alabama Supreme Court upheld the summary judgment ruling on appeal.
- Securing summary judgment on behalf of a global online news outlet, dismissing claims that reporters and editors from that outlet knowingly published defamatory statements in its coverage of the rape and subsequent suicide of a college student in Alabama.
- Defending both online and print publications against claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy by the mother of a female minor who disappeared during a senior class trip to Aruba. In both cases, Lightfoot lawyers achieved favorable outcomes.
- Representing a production company against an emergency motion to enjoin final approval of an adapted script and halt a Broadway opening. Lightfoot lawyers opposed the motion and moved to transfer the matter back to New York, a more favorable venue for our client, in addition to participating in settlement negotiations. The motion prevailed, the case ultimately resolved, and the play opened on schedule.
- Defending a major online Internet-based enterprise that sells books, music, movies, housewares, electronics, toys, and many other goods, in a lawsuit alleging that its mechanism to facilitate contributions to non-profits discriminates based on religious beliefs. The defendant’s dismissal was affirmed on appeal, and the plaintiff is seeking a writ certiorari in the United State Supreme Court.
- Defending the lead actor and writer, as well as the producers and broadcasters, against claims made in the wake of a mockumentary comedy film that followed a foreign journalist through his travels and interactions in the United States.
- Securing a defense verdict on behalf of a writer, producer and distributor in a defamation and invasion of privacy suit against our client that challenged the portrayal of a prominent civil rights figure in a made-for-television movie about the civil rights movement.
- Representing an international provider of satellite television programming in connection with its national anti-piracy effort under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
- Winning a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss in a high-profile defamation lawsuit brought by a public official who alleged Sullivan malice.
- Winning emergency injunctive relief for the release of public records that resulted in a front-page story about a large, publicly funded construction project that caused a minor’s death.
- Prosecuting a claim by a regional cable provider against a municipality seeking dissolution of a services contract.
- Assisting media outlets with access to public records through Open Records Act requests and court proceedings.
- Defending countless newspaper reporters and media outlets under the reporter’s privilege and shield laws in matters seeking information concerning sources.
- Defending print and digital media outlets and reporters in defamation actions.
- Providing pre-publication advice to help minimize the risk of litigation.
- Defending copyright claims brought against major motion pictures.
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Overview 
When victory is the only option, media and communications clients turn to Lightfoot's experienced litigation counsel.
Often, a clear victory is often the only option for media and communications clients facing litigation. Reputations, livelihoods and the fates of entire companies are often on the line. At Lightfoot, we are known for our tenacious advocacy on behalf of clients in the media and communications space, and we bring all of our considerable trial and courtroom skills to bear on these matters.
Lightfoot clients include newspapers, broadcasters, publishers, national and regional telecommunications service providers, reporters and distributors. We have represented media-related entities in matters ranging from defamation and invasion of privacy lawsuits to First Amendment, government access, censorship, copyright and talent retention claims. Journalists and publishers also seek our counsel prior to publication to help mitigate the risk of potential litigation.
We pride ourselves on not only securing the best result for our clients, but also implementing processes that increase efficiencies and streamline the litigation process. For example, in addition to helping clients defend their intellectual property rights under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Lightfoot created an extranet that allows them to access paperless files and manage document production for cases around the country.
Lightfoot lawyers bring this same level of attention and case management diligence to every matter they handle. Whether protecting a journalist’s sources under shield laws or pursuing access to public records on behalf of media outlets, we are always focused on the details.
Experience
Representative Matters
Securing a complete dismissal of defamation claims against a broadcasting company. Our innovative approach involved persuading the judge to assess the sufficiency of the plaintiff’s grounds prior to reaching summary judgment. This strategic move led to the judge dismissing the suit in its entirety, setting a precedent for similar cases in media law.
Securing summary judgment on behalf of an NBC affiliate to dismiss a series of defamation and fraud claims against the NBC affiliate regarding its reporting on charges against a criminal defendant. The Alabama Supreme Court upheld the summary judgment ruling on appeal.
Securing summary judgment on behalf of a global online news outlet, dismissing claims that reporters and editors from that outlet knowingly published defamatory statements in its coverage of the rape and subsequent suicide of a college student in Alabama.
Defending both online and print publications against claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy by the mother of a female minor who disappeared during a senior class trip to Aruba. In both cases, Lightfoot lawyers achieved favorable outcomes.
Representing a production company against an emergency motion to enjoin final approval of an adapted script and halt a Broadway opening. Lightfoot lawyers opposed the motion and moved to transfer the matter back to New York, a more favorable venue for our client, in addition to participating in settlement negotiations. The motion prevailed, the case ultimately resolved, and the play opened on schedule.
Defending a major online Internet-based enterprise that sells books, music, movies, housewares, electronics, toys, and many other goods, in a lawsuit alleging that its mechanism to facilitate contributions to non-profits discriminates based on religious beliefs. The defendant’s dismissal was affirmed on appeal, and the plaintiff is seeking a writ certiorari in the United State Supreme Court.
Defending the lead actor and writer, as well as the producers and broadcasters, against claims made in the wake of a mockumentary comedy film that followed a foreign journalist through his travels and interactions in the United States.
Securing a defense verdict on behalf of a writer, producer and distributor in a defamation and invasion of privacy suit against our client that challenged the portrayal of a prominent civil rights figure in a made-for-television movie about the civil rights movement.
Representing an international provider of satellite television programming in connection with its national anti-piracy effort under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Winning a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss in a high-profile defamation lawsuit brought by a public official who alleged Sullivan malice.
Winning emergency injunctive relief for the release of public records that resulted in a front-page story about a large, publicly funded construction project that caused a minor’s death.
Prosecuting a claim by a regional cable provider against a municipality seeking dissolution of a services contract.
Assisting media outlets with access to public records through Open Records Act requests and court proceedings.
Defending countless newspaper reporters and media outlets under the reporter’s privilege and shield laws in matters seeking information concerning sources.
Defending print and digital media outlets and reporters in defamation actions.
Providing pre-publication advice to help minimize the risk of litigation.
Defending copyright claims brought against major motion pictures.
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