For the fourth year in a row, Williams & Connolly’s First Amendment and Media practice was ranked in Band 1 by Chambers USA. The publication reported that clients and peers say: “They are a go-to firm for high-value and high-profile matters; they are a top firm for complex litigation.” Over the last two Terms, the firm achieved three major U.S. Supreme Court victories affecting the media and entertainment industry, including Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith, a closely-followed copyright case involving the “transformative use” doctrine; Gonzalez v. Google, concerning the scope of immunity for interactive computer services under the Communications Decency Act; and Twitter v. Taamneh, where the Court held unanimously that plaintiffs had failed to state a claim against defendants under the Antiterrorism Act (ATA). Other successful representations include a victory by The Washington Post, which defeated a libel lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, as well as the successful defense on appeal of a large group of media defendants in a defamation lawsuit filed by former coal CEO and U.S. Senate candidate Don Blankenship.*
The following attorneys were also recognized in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA:
Tom Hentoff serves as co-chair of Williams & Connolly’s Trademark and Copyright and First Amendment and Media practice groups. He has represented clients in a wide variety of copyright, trademark, trade secret, defamation, privacy, false-advertising, and class action litigation and counseling matters. Chambers USA reports that client and peers say: "Tom is one of the smartest lawyers working the First Amendment and media space. His depth of knowledge is unmatched.”
Steve Fuzesi serves as co-chair of the firm’s First Amendment and Media practice group. Steve has significant experience representing news organizations and journalists, including defending them in defamation lawsuits challenging their reporting. In its 2024 edition, Chambers USA reported that Steve is “recognized for his work representing media outlets and journalists in high-profile defamation lawsuits” and clients and peers say Steve is “[a] fantastic adviser and litigator” whose “analysis and experience is spot-on” and whose brief writing is “outstanding.”
Nick Gamse has extensive experience in media and entertainment matters. He has represented leading media companies, celebrities, and journalists in disputes spanning a wide variety of issues, including antitrust, breach of contract, defamation, employment, First Amendment and freedom of speech, government investigations, intellectual property, news access and newsgathering, privacy, and theme park disputes. Chambers USA 2024 reported that client and peers say “[Nick] is a fantastic litigator, both strategically and tactically. I know he will be able to handle anything” and “he is an excellent lawyer, his judgment and legal advice being spot-on.”
Kevin Baine has long been recognized as one of the nation’s leading First Amendment and media litigation attorneys. He has represented many of the country’s major media organizations, as well as major universities, churches and others in cases raising issues of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion. Chambers USA reports that “Kevin Baine is a renowned trial lawyer with an exemplary track record defending news organizations in First Amendment cases.”
Robert Barnett has a diverse practice representing national and international corporations and individuals on a wide variety of matters. He is one of the premier authors' representatives in the world as well as one of the leading representatives of television news correspondents and producers. Bob also represents former government officials in conjunction with their transitions to the private sector. Chambers USA reports that “[Bob] is sought out for his expertise in the publishing industry. He negotiates book deals on behalf of well-known authors, politicians and other high-profile individuals” and “[h]e is a go-to for a lot of the major talent on the networks.”
Click here to see Williams & Connolly’s profile on Chambers USA.
*All cases vary and none is predictive.