THE FIRM This group earns plaudits across the board, particularly for the breadth of its media and entertainment practice. Its attorneys have had significant success in a number of First Amendment, copyright, trademark, and misappropriation cases. The team's client roster includes several marquee names from the broadcasting, publishing and music sectors. Highlights include its representation of the entire broadcast radio industry in federal rate court proceedings regarding performance rights license fees payable to the two major licensing bodies, ASCAP and BMI.

Sources say: "When you speak to people in the industry, you get the same unanimous response: 'Weil's advice is beyond sound, it's as good as it can be.'"

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources say that Bruce Rich is "a wonderful, top lawyer." He heads up the firm's media and IP practice and took the lead on the recent federal rate court proceedings concerning performance rights license fees. Randi Singer's practice encompasses copyright and trademark litigation, First Amendment and IP issues. She played a key role in representing eBay in its litigation with luxury goods retailer, Tiffany & Co.

THE FIRM This highly regarded IP specialist is a top pick for complex copyright cases in the media and entertainment space. The firm advises several marquee names, including Sony, and its work within the music industry and the publishing sector is considered to be its particular strength.

Sources say: "A true IP litigation firm, and a fantastic choice for IP and trademark disputes."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Dannay is universally acknowledged as "a clear leader in the copyright Bar." He litigates and counsels on copyright issues, and has special expertise in the publishing industry.

THE FIRM The media and entertainment group at this New York litigation giant is highly regarded for its expertise in complex copyright cases. It provides counsel to prominent entities such as Time Warner, Warner Bros and CNN. The group is currently representing Barnes & Noble in a challenge to a shareholder rights plan adopted by the company in November 2009.

Sources say: "A great firm filled with smart lawyers - capable of assisting with any kind of entertainment litigation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Litigation partner Peter Barbur is the key contact for media and entertainment matters.

THE FIRM The team at this IP powerhouse handles a broad range of media and entertainment disputes. Sources highlight the firm's expertise in copyright cases and note its ability to represent both new media and traditional media clients. The group's prominent profile is evidenced by its enviable client roster, which includes Sony and The New York Times.

Sources say: "They have taken on some of the most complex cases, they've tried out novel theories, and they've completely mastered the maintstream ones - there is nothing negative to say about this group."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bruce Keller supervises the firm's intellectual property group. He is widely recognized for his prowess in IP and First Amendment litigation on behalf of marquee entertainment clients, such as Sony.

THE FIRM This team's strength in this area is anchored by its expertise in copyright and contract cases. Spearheaded by the indefatigable Orin Snyder, the group has had some notable successes of late. The firm recently negotiated a settlement for NBC Universal in a high-profile contract dispute with the Weinstein Company concerning 'Project Runway' and is representing VOOM HD in a similarly high-stakes breach of contract case against EchoStar Satellite.

Sources say: "Gibson Dunn's group is strong on the East Coast, the West Coast, and in DC - for us, that coverage is invaluable."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Orin Snyder has forged a tremendous reputation in litigation and counseling on media, entertainment and technology matters. He is currently defending longtime client Facebook and its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, in a high-profile breach of contract case.

THE FIRM Kirkland & Ellis' standing in the market was transformed by its hire of Dale Cendali and her team from O'Melveny & Myers in 2009. Commentators are now unanimous in acknowledging this team's position among the elite of media and entertainment litigators, as evidenced by its representation of prominent clients such as Twentieth Century Fox, JK Rowling, Warner Bros and the Associated Press.

Sources say: "Top-quality, skilled entertainment litigators."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dale Cendali is a leading IP litigator with a national practice. Clients regularly turn to her regarding matters of copyright, trademark, patent and Internet law.

THE FIRM The Loeb & Loeb entertainment group offers considerable expertise in the music, television and film sectors. The team's strength is evidenced by its impressive client roster, which includes prominent players such as Sony, EMI North America, MGM and Paramount.  

Sources say: "These attorneys are serious players - great lawyers with tremendous industry expertise."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Barry Slotnick chairs the firm's IP and entertainment litigation group. He is widely recognized for his expertise in music publishing and regularly counsels the National Music Publishers' Association regarding late fee issues with record companies. Jonathan Zavin is noted for his representation of major TV networks and motion picture studios. He served as national litigation counsel for seven Hollywood motion picture studios in national cases involving illegal peer-to-peer file sharing.

THE FIRM Commentators note this firm's prominence in significant media and entertainment disputes. Its attorneys handle a wide variety of cases, including complex commercial and intellectual property issues. The group works with a number of heavyweight media clients, such as Thomson Reuters, Dow Jones & Company and McGraw-Hill.

Sources say: "A superb team - extremely high-quality work, practical advice, and they always produce the desired results."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "resourceful and creative" approach of Saul Shapiro pays dividends for clients. He is defending McGraw-Hill in an alleged corporate espionage case against Reed Construction Data. Robert LoBue is cochair and managing partner of the firm. He is well regarded in this sector for his expertise in IP and First Amendment litigation.

THE FIRM This group is regarded as one of the country's leading music litigation teams. Recently, attorneys at Paul Weiss successfully argued on behalf of the National Music Publishers' Association, the Songwriters Guild of America and the Nashville Songwriters Association International before the DC Circuit regarding royalty rates for cell phone ringtones. However, this group's expertise extends far beyond music and its client base also includes leading entities from the film, television, gaming and news sectors.

Sources say: "A team of quality business lawyers who are also fantastic litigators."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jay Cohen cochairs the firm's litigation department. He receives plaudits for his role as trial counsel for Citi in the successful defense of Terra Firm's claim that it was defrauded by Citi in its acquisition of EMI.

THE FIRM This group has developed a remarkably broad client base and regularly represents prominent industry associations, artists, entertainment companies and publishers. The team's attorneys garner particular praise for their copyright expertise and regularly handle contract, trademark and First Amendment disputes. The firm has a strong presence in the sports sector and currently acts as lead counsel for the English Premier League in a high-profile copyright infringement case against YouTube.

Sources say: "A fantastic team, always well staffed; they understand the industry, and have never let us down."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Charles Ortner is lauded by clients as "a really brilliant strategist when it comes to litigation." Ortner and the "exceptionally intelligent" Sandra Crawshaw-Sparks are noted for their work in the sector. Both attorneys have recently represented Madonna in connection with two copyright infringement actions pending in Belgium and France, in addition to advising Naomi Campbell in the much-publicized multimillion-dollar litigation with her former agent. Charles Sims focuses on First Amendment, defamation and copyright matters. He currently leads the team in its representation of the Premier League in its ongoing copyright infringement claim against YouTube.

THE FIRM Quinn Emanuel's profile in the media and entertainment space hinges largely on its expertise in intellectual property law - in particular, copyright and trademark litigation. This specialism is further enhanced this year following a notable lateral hire from Paul Weiss. Recent highlights include representing Capitol Records against Vimeo over a variety of copyright claims.

Sources say: "A deep bench of seasoned trial lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Raskopf's practice encompasses a range of IP, contract, advertising, and First Amendment issues. He is praised as "a genuine trial lawyer who is completely at home in court." Carey Ramos is a recent recruit, having joined the firm from Paul Weiss. He maintains a broad practice with a concentration on IP-related issues.

THE FIRM Cahill Gordon & Reindel's prominence in the First Amendment space is universally acknowledged by peers and clients. This team has enviable depth in terms of its bench and expertise, and has attracted marquee clients such as Time Warner and the Associated Press. The team has received particular attention for its role in the Citizens United v Federal Election Commission case. The group recently represented Senator Mitch McConnell before the Supreme Court defending the rights of corporations and unions to speak publicly about politics and elections.

Sources say: "Prominent, if not preeminent, First Amendment lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Floyd Abrams is acknowledged by his peers to be "a prominent, if not iconic figure in First Amendment law." He leads the group in its representation of the McGraw-Hill Companies and its Standard & Poor's subsidiary in a number of cases relating to its rating of securities backed by subprime mortgages. Another of the firm's attorneys involved in this case is Susan Buckley. She is highly regarded for her expertise in media law and First Amendment issues. Dean Ringel has represented a number of leading newspapers, magazines, networks and broadcasters across cases concerning libel, privacy, and reporter's privilege issues.

THE FIRM This firm's First Amendment expertise is so widely acknowledged that Davis Wright Tremaine's name has become synonymous with media litigation. The New York branch of its media group forms part of the firm's 60-strong, bi-coastal media litigation team. Its attorneys work with a broad range of clients, including news organizations, publishers and other clients from the TV, film, radio and gaming sectors.

Sources say: "It has a wonderful reputation in media and entertainment law, and the uniformly high quality of work and service we have received fully supported that."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Victor Kovner is hailed by his peers as "a legend" in the media sphere. He works with a broad range of clients, including newspapers, motion picture companies and other media entities. Elizabeth McNamara impresses clients as "a highly accomplished, excellent lawyer." She brings extensive media law expertise to the table, and is noted for her work on behalf of publishers, broadcasters, cable companies and distributors. Clients claim that Marcia Paul is "a superb litigator" who is "in a class of her own." Paul received considerable attention for her representation of JD Salinger in a copyright infringement action against the publishers of an unauthorized 'sequel' to Salinger's classic, 'The Catcher in the Rye'.

THE FIRM The media litigation group at Hogan Lovells' New York office works with a range of prominent clients, including the New York Post, HarperCollins, New York Magazine and Fox News. Its attorneys have considerable expertise in a range of media disputes, including contract and IP issues, libel and privacy cases and First Amendment issues. The team recently secured a victory for NBC Universal in a suit for libel and tortious misappropriation of name or likeness based on the Sacha Baron Cohen film 'Brüno'.

Sources say: "Smart, knowledgeable, direct - this group provide a great work product in a really efficient manner."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of the group, Slade Metcalf focuses on consulting and litigating for a range of media organizations. He is noted for his expertise in cases involving libel, privacy, copyright, and trademark-related issues. He has worked with a variety of high-profile media clients, including the New York Post, HBO and the New York Magazine. Kate Bolger is an acknowledged expert in First Amendment and media law. She has considerable experience in representing book and newspaper publishers in defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright and trademark cases.

THE FIRM This 26-strong boutique firm represents publishers, broadcasters, media companies and other content providers across the media and entertainment sector. The team has developed a fantastic reputation for its expertise in handling defamation, privacy and reporters' privilege cases for prominent media organizations, such as the Associated Press, The New York Times, Newsday and ABC.

Sources say: "An impressive team. The quality is universally high, from senior partner to junior associate."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Schulz is the firm's leading media lawyer and wins considerable praise for his expertise in libel, privacy, access and news-gathering claims. He was recently retained by a number of leading news organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, in a challenge to the 'ground rules' regarding reporting on the Military Commissions at Guantanamo Bay.