First Amendment Litigation: Nationwide

Floyd Abrams is in a "league of his own" according to sources, and is considered to be "unquestionably among the nation's leading attorneys in this field." He recently represented Senator Mitch McConnell in a highly publicized case before the US Supreme Court, and regularly counsels 17 of the top media companies in the country, including ABC, NBC and The New York Times.

Kelli Sager is based in Los Angeles. Clients rave that she is a "true trial lawyer," and "her work is always outstanding." She leads Davis Wright Tremaine's considerable force of First Amendment litigation attorneys, and represents the likes of E! Entertainment, CBS, Universal Studios and the Los Angeles Times.

Sources applaud Lee Levine's "intellectual firepower and astounding ability to develop novel doctrinal arguments." As a leading attorney in one of the nation's preeminent First Amendment litigation firms, he is renowned throughout the country as an "extraordinary, brilliant lawyer." According to peers, he is one of the foremost authorities on news-gathering torts. He currently represents a prominent journalist, a well-known documentary director and CBS, among others.

Charles Babcock is said to be "one of the best defamation attorneys around," and his services are enlisted by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and other prominent media clients. Based in Houston, his reputation as a "very active, very skilled trial lawyer" extends across the country.

The "extremely bright and effective" David Schulz is based at his firm's New York office and has a very well-developed appellate practice. He regularly represents Hearst and was recently retained by a coalition of newspapers, including Dow Jones, The New York Times and the New York Post, in a lawsuit regarding the legality of publishing information on the individual job performance of public school teachers.

Peers describe Kevin Baine as a "very fine lawyer with a broad practice." Working out of Washington, DC, he has successfully defended more than 100 libel cases and maintains an active First Amendment and civil litigation practice. He regularly counsels The Washington Post in First Amendment-related issues.        

As cochair of Davis Wright Tremaine's appellate practice, Washington, DC-based Laura Handman maintains a growing First Amendment practice. Amazon.com, Dow Jones, Discovery Communications, Random House and Atlantic Media are just a few of her top-tier media clients, and she played a key role in the recent passage of the SPEECH Act in the US Senate. She receives unanimously positive feedback from peers, all of whom say she is "extremely talented." 

Paul Smith recently argued before the US Supreme Court in one of this year's most publicized First Amendment cases regarding violence in video games. He has a national reputation as a "very smart, highly intellectual lawyer," and regularly represents clients before the Supreme Court in complex First Amendment, commercial speech and defamation cases.

Slade Metcalf is the leading First Amendment litigator at Hogan Lovells and is based in the firm's New York office. He recently represented HarperCollins in a suit against Gawker.com. Further clients include NBC, the New York Post and Fox.

Described as “a warhorse of the media Bar,” Thomas Kelley maintains a thriving practice in libel defense and media litigation, working out of his firm's Denver office. He is nationally recognized for his skill in tort litigation, and has recently represented A&E, NBC and a collection of Colorado newspapers.

Bruce Johnson practices in the Pacific Northwest and takes an active role in writing significant federal legislation, as he did with last year's anti-SLAPP law. Peers admit that "if you need to know anything about anything, you call him," citing privacy law as one of his special areas of expertise. He currently counsels Michael Moore's production company, Dog Eat Dog.

Sources describe Bruce Sanford as "a very smart and able practitioner." He is based in Baker & Hostetler's Washington, DC office and represents some of the country's leading media companies in high-profile libel cases.

Charles Tobin currently chairs the ABA's Forum on Communications Law and leads the media team at Holland & Knight. He is "held in high regard" by peers around the country as "one of the nation's leading media lawyers." Recently, he successfully defended CNN in a groundbreaking wrongful death suit issued against the network and one of its interviewers, Nancy Grace.

Elizabeth McNamara is extremely visible in the world of First Amendment litigation, and is primarily known for her representation of book publishers. She recently warded off a high-profile suit by David Beckham against her client, Bauer Publishing. Peers recommend her as a "go-to practitioner." Further clients include NBC, Rolling Stone and Electronic Arts.

Jonathan Albano divides his practice between media and commercial litigation and acts as the deputy managing partner of his firm's Boston office. Described by clients as "friendly and accessible," he has recently represented Enterprise Publishing, The Boston Globe and Yoko Ono Lennon in a wide range of First Amendment-related suits.

Michael Sullivan is one of the leading partners at Levine Sullivan Koch & Schulz, and has represented CBS on a long-term basis. His "quick mind, levelheadedness and interpersonal skills make him extremely effective in court," according to sources. He maintains a broad media law practice, and has represented giants such as The New York Times as well as small Internet publishers, and in recent years, reality TV producers.

Theodore Boutrous argues before the US Supreme Court on a regular basis, and peers recognize him as a "formidable litigator." He represents such media giants as Time and the Associated Press, in addition to high-profile individuals and journalists, including Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Allison Hope Weiner.

Thomas Julin operates out of Florida and has carved a significant area of expertise in commercial speech. As the leading First Amendment litigator at Hunton & Williams, he represents several media and communication companies, in addition to prominent advertising agencies, healthcare entities, and other organizations in suits regarding information gathering.

Victor Kovner is "a seasoned, deeply respected" First Amendment litigator who has "acted as a mentor" for a number of other leaders in the field. He receives plaudits for his "fabulous oratorical skills." He is based in New York and recent clients include Clear Channel Outdoor, McGraw-Hill and Discover Media.

Joseph Steinfield is the leading First Amendment litigator at Prince Lobel Tye LLP and is based in the firm's Boston office. He maintains a broad practice with a particular focus on complex, multijurisdictional litigation, and his firm is consistently recognized for its ability to remain "on the cutting edge" of First Amendment law.

Kurt Wimmer recently returned to private practice and has swiftly made a name for himself in the world of First Amendment litigation. Peers recognize him as "a major player" in the field and note his influence in the recent passage of an important federal shield law through the House of Representatives. Recent clients include the National Association of Broadcasters, The Washington Post and a 70-member coalition of leading US media companies.

Peter Canfield is widely considered to be the leading First Amendment litigator in Atlanta and is roundly praised for his skill in the courtroom.

Thomas Yannucci is primarily a plaintiffs' attorney in First Amendment cases, and is currently representing a former government employee in a high-profile suit against a well-known blogger. As one peer put it: "I'm always sorry to see him on the other side of the table, because he's very good at what he does." He also acts as counsel for Time Warner Cable.