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Media Law

The fast-paced world of communications and professional journalism requires dedicated, experienced legal professionals who can quickly and confidently respond to the unique demands of the profession.

Ice Miller lawyers help media clients gather information under the state public access laws as well as the Federal Freedom of Information Act.  Ice Miller works with media clients facing both general litigation issues and media law claims, such as defamation.  Even at the earliest stages, when many of these issues first arise, Ice Miller assists media clients with pre-broadcast and pre-publication review.  Ice Miller lawyers identify the risks associated with a story and help clients reduce or eliminate that risk, while preserving the integrity of the story. Ice Miller also defends media clients who are sued as a result of their newsgathering and reporting activities and has represented clients in state and federal appellate courts. We also have substantial experience representing communications companies in connection with their business activities, including personal services, talent contracts, business transactions, workforce and employment matters, contest and sweepstakes rules, along with employee benefit matters.

Representative Experience

  • Representing a midsized Midwestern media company in its defense of defamation claims, successfully winning one of the first dismissals in Illinois based on the State's recent anti-SLAPP litigation, which was subsequently affirmed by the intermediate appellate court.
  • Acting as primary outside counsel for a large communications industry client’s Chicago properties, supervising those properties’ litigation, corporate, employment, intellectual property, sweepstakes, real estate and construction law needs.
  • Serving as lead counsel on a multi-national dispute involving a Chinese client whose financial reporting allegedly damaged an Illinois company’s billion dollar product line overseas.
  • Assisting a communications industry client in implementing a major promotional initiative by spearheading the multidisciplinary legal team that developed the rules, labor agreements and other legal documents associated with a major contest to select and employ a spokesperson to represent the client in high profile advertisements and during marketing events.
  • Helping to protect a communications industry client from incurring major legal expenses likely to be associated with its defense in a wrongful termination suit.
  • Assisting an Ohio-based media company with respect to business, contract, and employment related matters, including preparing and negotiating talent agreements, aiding in copyright and licensing matters, and providing general business and contract services.

Professionals

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