THE FIRM Loeb & Loeb has earned prominence across the board for its media and entertainment work, and is increasingly recognized for its representation of clients in the music industry. The team regularly advises high-profile disputes on behalf of clients like DreamWorks Animation, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Showtime. The group successfully negotiated a settlement in a class action suit against YouTube for its clients, the National Music Publishers' Association and Harry Fox Agency, which resulted in a licensing agreement for music publishers to earn royalties from music posted on the website.

Sources say: "They have tremendous depth in day-to-day entertainment, especially copyright and contract disputes."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jonathan Zavin concentrates on acting for clients from the motion picture and network industries. He primarily handles copyright, trademark, idea submission and contract disputes.

Established copyright and trademark litigator Barry Slotnick focuses on the entertainment industry.

THE FIRM This international powerhouse handles a significant amount of work in the overlap between IP and media. It acts for clients from a wide range of industries, including publishing, broadcast and new media, and is increasingly active in the media sector. The team litigates on a range of matters, such as copyright, trademark and idea theft. Key clients include eBay and Morgan Stanley.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bruce Rich heads the IP and media group, and focuses on the communications, entertainment and internet industry. His broad practice covers a number of matters, including copyright, trademark, music licensing, First Amendment and antitrust.

Randi Singer is well reputed in the market and continues to stand out for her work on copyright and trademark matters.

THE FIRM Debevoise & Plimpton has gone from strength to strength in entertainment litigation. The team offers a wide selection of services to clients ranging from high-profile entertainers to companies in the TV, music, newspaper and publishing industries. It is highlighted as being particularly strong in providing advice on avoiding litigation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bruce Keller receives significant praise for his IP expertise and also stands out for his "very solid" First Amendment work.

THE FIRM Gibson Dunn's litigation department is world-renowned, enhancing its media, entertainment and technology offering. Recent highlights for the team include representing Warner Music in a breach of contract case, achieving dismissal of all claims.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Orin Snyder has a huge practice in the state of New York, and is increasingly active in the sports industry. He focuses on contract and copyright disputes but his broad expertise also covers First Amendment work. "He is very highly qualified – he offers good advice all around," said one client. 

THE FIRM Kirkland & Ellis is known for housing brilliant litigators and stands out for its IP work, with deep expertise in copyright, trademark and patent law. It acts for a plethora of high-profile clients from a range of industries, including publishing, film, video games, news and theater.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dale Cendali heads the group and is highly revered by peers and clients alike. She has represented some of the biggest names across the board in media and entertainment, including JK Rowling, Fox and Tetris.

THE FIRM Patterson Belknap's 32-strong media and entertainment group has litigated on a variety of matters of late, including trade secrets, advertisement and First Amendment. It recently acted for online travel agency Priceline.com in a false advertising claim brought by Expedia.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Saul Shapiro heads the litigation group and co-heads the media and entertainment group, and has an emphasis on soft IP and commercial litigation in the media space. 

Robert LoBue continues to receive wide praise from sources, particularly for his First Amendment work.

THE FIRM This well-regarded team has been active as lead counsel in a proposed class action against YouTube, concerning material on the site that may infringe copyright. It has also been handling a significant amount of music-related litigation of late, including a cross-action with a recording company.

Sources say: "I really appreciate the intellect and strategy the team employ."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Charles Ortner has a growing practice litigating across the board in media and entertainment, and is particularly recognized for his work with record companies. Sources note his ability to "come up with very creative strategies and find paths to success."

Charles Sims stands out as an "extraordinary and solid copyright and First Amendment advocate."

Sandra Crawshaw-Sparks represents several high-profile music artists, as well as record companies and music publishers. She "provides a very personal approach and cares about the best results," say sources.

THE FIRM The entertainment team here is able to call on the firm's litigation specialty, and clients benefit from its highly reputable trial attorneys. The team handles a large amount of IP work and represents some major clients.

Sources say: "Great knowledge of the law and understanding from a business perspective." "The group is able to think creatively and is proactive in advising clients."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Carey Ramos centers his practice around media and technology, and is well reputed for his work in the patent field. He is active in a variety of industries, including music, motion pictures, IT and telecommunications.

Robert Raskopf handles a wide range of media litigation, with an emphasis on IP, especially trademark matters. He has also been undertaking an increasing amount of First Amendment work, such as access to documents. "He has high energy and demonstrates a passion for exceeding clients' expectations and needs," say commentators.

THE FIRM The media and entertainment group at this IP and litigation boutique is well respected for its trademark and copyright work. It represents numerous high-profile clients from a range of industries, including Random House, Bloomsbury and Universal Pictures.

Sources say: "A terrific medium-sized firm. The team is very technically sound and knows media law very well, especially trademark and copyright."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Dannay is recognized as a "brilliant copyright lawyer," and recently represented Penguin Group in a copyright infringement case.

THE FIRM Cravath, Swaine & Moore's media and entertainment group is known for its prowess in big-ticket litigation. It represents a range of well-known entities, and has recently been involved in several actions for Time Warner and its subsidiaries. Interviewees note its impressive corporate expertise.

Sources say: "The work product is top-notch, with a broad perspective and levelheadedness."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Barbur handles a wide variety of media and entertainment matters, and is the main contact at the firm.

THE FIRM This firm has long been known for housing great litigators, and is admired for its depth of corporate expertise. The media and entertainment practice represents a wide range of clients, including studios, networks and talent, and continues to stand out in the music arena. Key clients include News Corporation, Paramount and Time Warner.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jay Cohen is esteemed for his music publishing and IP practice, and is lauded as an extremely strong litigator. He recently obtained a summary judgment on behalf of Warner Music Group in a multimillion-dollar case alleging a breach of a stock options agreement.

THE FIRM The media and entertainment team at Cahill Gordon & Reindel remains a formidable opponent in First Amendment work, where it is active in libel matters and issues relating to the protection of sources. It is acting for some prominent news organizations – including ABC, the Associated Press and CNN – in actions challenging the constitutionality of state efforts to restrict exit polling on election day; it has already been successful in 11 states.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Floyd Abrams continues to be "at the top of the heap" for First Amendment law. He has appeared before the Supreme Court in this field, and is recognized as a highly respected and prominent leader.

Susan Buckley is lead counsel representing the news organizations in the exit poll challenges mentioned above. She also handles large FCC and antitrust cases. 

Dean Ringel stands out for his skills and experience at the appellate level. He represents an array of clients in a variety of matters, including those related to libel, privacy and access to information.  

THE FIRM This firm continues to stand out for its well-respected First Amendment work, and is widely praised for its prepublication advice and litigation defense in the publishing industry. Clients include CNN, HarperCollins and the New York Post.

Sources say: "Experts who offer a collaborative approach and are respectful to clients, practical, fast and very pleasant." "The team's expertise is uniformly impressive."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Victor Kovner is a seasoned expert on privacy and libel matters, in which field he is deemed "knowledgeable and a star individual."

Elizabeth McNamara's presence at the media bar has increased in recent times. She has vast experience in litigation at federal and state courts, at both trial and appellate level. "She relates well to lawyers and clients," said one interviewee, who added: "She is aggressive without being confrontational."

Marcia Paul has a broad practice and is well admired in the litigation space. She recently successfully represented MTV at summary judgment on a copyright infringement action brought against it, relating to SpongeBob SquarePants.

THE FIRM This international powerhouse has been involved in a range of contentious media and entertainment matters of late. The team has been defending NBC against an alleged libel where a civilian was depicted as a terrorist in the film 'Bruno'; it has so far had the case dismissed on jurisdictional grounds. The team has seen an increase in copyright infringement cases of late.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Weinstein is a key contact.

THE FIRM This media boutique has an active litigation practice and has been involved in the highly important Guantánamo access litigation cases for a collection of well-known news-gathering entities, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. The team achieved a revised set of media guidelines, which included new procedural protections to reporters.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Schulz has 30 years' experience in the field and is heralded as "one of the best freedom of information attorneys in the country." He represents an impressive range of clients, including newspapers, television networks, publishers, cable news networks and internet content providers.

Since publication, Kate Bolger has joined the firm from Hogan Lovells. She is a vastly experienced litigator, and concentrates on First Amendment and media law.