Vigorously defending clients when they’ve been unfairly maligned, the lawyers on our team work relentlessly to protect those threatened by the publication of damaging, inaccurate information. We work to mitigate the risk of reputational damage and to repair such harm where it has already occurred. Led by Alan Lewis and John J. Walsh, two of the most prominent plaintiffs’ side defamation attorneys in the nation, the group is well regarded for its deep knowledge and proficiency in media law. Our practice is international in scope, and unlike most firms’ media law practices, is devoted to representing clients who are adverse to the press.
We bring the full power of our decades of experience, celebrated professional profiles, and stellar advocacy skills to each case. Because prompt action is crucial in a world where misinformation can disseminate across the planet instantly but remain accessible in cyberspace forever if not challenged, our attorneys are well prepared to battle back swiftly and effectively every time. Today, illustrious clients with the resources to hire anyone in the world routinely choose our team to champion their interests and preserve their hard-won reputations.
Why Our Experience is the Right Fit
Two of the Nation’s Best Ready to Serve
The origins of our First Amendment and Media Law practice date back four decades to when the group’s co-chair, John J. Walsh, rose to prominence when his client prevailed in a landmark case against The Washington Post. As one of the nation’s preeminent plaintiffs’ side media lawyers, John represents high-profile clients in litigation and matters involving libel, privacy, and commercial speech issues.
Joining John as co-chair, renowned litigator Alan Lewis forged a trail in this legal area when his criminal defense clients were not only victimized by overzealous prosecutions, but likewise suffered reputational harm when false, reputation damaging statements were published about them in the media. He began aggressively countering this negative coverage through creative and persistent legal tactics, and over the years has successfully neutralized many specious narratives. Alan’s communication and trial skills, keen intellect, and superb track record bring him nationwide acclaim in this dynamic field of law.
Both Alan and John frequently write on this legal area for prominent publications and participate in and accept speaking invitations to First Amendment legal conferences and other professional events. Over the years, many print and broadcast media outlets have reached out to them for insight and commentary.
In fighting unfair press coverage and reputational attacks, our team often collaborates with lawyers in the firm’s other practice areas, including litigators in the white-collar arena. This convergence of talents enables us to strategically push back on behalf of clients who find themselves on the receiving end of distorted coverage in the wake of events such as government investigations and business scandals. The lawyers deliver pinpointed and cost-effective responses that dynamically counter the misrepresentation clients have endured in the public sphere. Although preventing deceptive coverage in the first place is the ideal outcome, if an injurious publication occurs the team works tirelessly to repair the client’s reputation through retraction or corrective publication or, if necessary, a defamation lawsuit.
Our Innovative Approach
Online En Garde: With information increasingly circulated in cyberspace rather than through traditional press channels, we’re forging new territory in the ever-changing media landscape. For example, we’re working to protect the reputations of clients when hyperlinks connect a new article to an older article that contains inaccurate and harmful claims about them.
Preserving Privacy Rights: As concerns about preserving privacy and hard-won reputations increase in a content environment that’s readily available to worldwide audience every minute of the day, our team continuously expands the arsenal of weapons we use to fight back. Recently, for instance, we persuaded a dominant search engine to remove results that unfairly connected a client to a scandal receiving media attention worldwide.
High-Profile Advocacy: Our team is frequently hired to offer counsel in some of the most well-known disputes in the world, including those related to the “Steele Dossier” and the Malaysian 1MDB scandal, as well as in several high-stakes matters involving prominent figures in business, investing, politics, and arts and entertainment.
Due Process Is Due: In recent years several social movements have arisen to fight the abhorrent abuses and biases that are still all too common. In cases where the pendulum swings too far and knocks away the due process rights of those who are accused of wrongdoing, our team is well-equipped to ensure that fairness and accuracy prevail, often bringing creative strategies to bear on behalf of our clients.
Proven Strengths
We provide a full range of services to help ensure fair media coverage and protect the reputations of those we represent, including:
• Injunctions
• Retractions
• Negotiated Resolutions
• Corrective publication
• Defamation lawsuits
• Privacy defense
• Reputational rehabilitation