The 2021 Media Law Conference, organized by the Media Law Resource Center (MLRC), took place from September 29 to October 1, 2021, at the Lansdowne Resort Hotel in Leesburg, Virginia. This biennial event is renowned for its comprehensive focus on media law and litigation, attracting experienced media defense lawyers from across the country.
The conference featured a diverse array of sessions covering critical topics such as libel developments, ethics in media law, entertainment law, music copyright, fair use in copyright, FCC regulations under the Biden administration, and newsgathering challenges. Notable plenary sessions included discussions on public trust in the media, the Supreme Court's stance on Times v. Sullivan, and the 50th anniversary of the Pentagon Papers.
Attendees had opportunities for networking through receptions, dinners, and informal gatherings. The event also honored distinguished individuals with the First Amendment Leadership Award, recognizing significant contributions to media law. The conference provided a platform for legal professionals to engage with peers, stay updated on industry developments, and discuss pressing issues in media law.
Speakers(60)
A.J. Thomas
Partner at Jenner & Block
A.J. Thomas is a Partner at Jenner & Block, focusing on media and entertainment law.
Alan Friedman
Partner at Fox Rothschild
Alan Friedman is a Partner at Fox Rothschild, focusing on entertainment law.
Amy Howe
Co-Founder at SCOTUSblog
Amy Howe is the Co-Founder of SCOTUSblog, providing expert analysis on Supreme Court cases.
Andrew Pauwels
Partner at Honigman
Andrew Pauwels is a Partner at Honigman, specializing in media law.
Anna Kadyshevich
Counsel at HBO
Anna Kadyshevich is Counsel at HBO, specializing in media and entertainment law.
Ari Holtzblatt
Partner at WilmerHale
Ari Holtzblatt is a Partner at WilmerHale, specializing in technology and media law.
Ashley Messenger
Senior Associate General Counsel at NPR
Ashley Messenger is the Senior Associate General Counsel at NPR, specializing in media law.
Barbara Wall
Former Acting CEO and General Counsel at Gannett Co.
Barbara Wall is the former Acting CEO and General Counsel of Gannett Co., with extensive experience in media law.
Ben Lipman
General Counsel at Las Vegas Review-Journal
Ben Lipman is the General Counsel at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, overseeing legal matters for the newspaper.
Bruce Johnson
Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine
Bruce Johnson is a Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, specializing in media and First Amendment law.
Bruce Sanford
Partner at Baker & Hostetler
Bruce Sanford is a Partner at Baker & Hostetler, specializing in First Amendment and media law.
Carol LoCicero
Partner at Thomas & LoCicero
Carol LoCicero is a Partner at Thomas & LoCicero, specializing in media law and litigation.
Carolyn Forrest
General Counsel at Tubi
Carolyn Forrest is the General Counsel at Tubi, overseeing legal matters for the streaming service.
Chip Babcock
Partner at Jackson Walker
Chip Babcock is a Partner at Jackson Walker, focusing on media and First Amendment law.
Christine Walz
Partner at Holland & Knight
Christine Walz is a Partner at Holland & Knight, specializing in media law.
Collin Peng Sue
Counsel at Netflix
Collin Peng Sue is Counsel at Netflix, focusing on entertainment law.
David Logan
Professor of Law at Roger Williams School of Law
David Logan is a Professor of Law at Roger Williams School of Law, specializing in defamation and media law.
David Vigilante
Executive Vice President and General Counsel at CNN
David Vigilante is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel at CNN, overseeing legal matters for the network.
Deanna Shullman
Partner at Shullman & Fugate
Deanna Shullman is a Partner at Shullman & Fugate, focusing on media and First Amendment law.
Elizabeth McNamara
Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine
Elizabeth McNamara is a Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, focusing on media and First Amendment law.
Erik Wemple
Media Critic at The Washington Post
Erik Wemple is a media critic at The Washington Post, analyzing media coverage and industry trends.
Fabio Bertoni
General Counsel at The New Yorker
Fabio Bertoni is the General Counsel at The New Yorker, managing the magazine's legal affairs.
Fox Butterfield
Former Journalist at The New York Times
Fox Butterfield is a former journalist for The New York Times, known for his work on the Pentagon Papers.
Hedrick Smith
Former Journalist at The New York Times
Hedrick Smith is a former journalist for The New York Times, recognized for his reporting on the Pentagon Papers.
Janny Scott
Former Reporter at The New York Times
Janny Scott is a former reporter for The New York Times, known for her obituary of Neil Sheehan.
Jeff Hermes
Deputy Director at Media Law Resource Center
Jeff Hermes is the Deputy Director of the Media Law Resource Center, specializing in digital media law.
Jennifer Dukarski
Shareholder at Butzel Long
Jennifer Dukarski is a Shareholder at Butzel Long, focusing on digital media and technology law.
Jonathan Turley
Professor of Law at George Washington Law School
Jonathan Turley is a Professor of Law at George Washington Law School, specializing in constitutional law.
Karen Kaiser
General Counsel at Associated Press
Karen Kaiser is the General Counsel at the Associated Press, managing legal affairs for the news organization.
Kate Bolger
Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine
Kate Bolger is a Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, focusing on media and First Amendment law.
Kathleen Kirby
Partner at Wiley Rein
Kathleen Kirby is a Partner at Wiley Rein, focusing on media and telecommunications law.
Katie Townsend
Legal Director at Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Katie Townsend is the Legal Director at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, focusing on media law and First Amendment issues.
Kay Murray
General Counsel at First Look Institute
Kay Murray is the General Counsel at First Look Institute, overseeing legal matters for the organization.
Laura Prather
Partner at Haynes & Boone
Laura Prather is a Partner at Haynes & Boone, focusing on media and First Amendment law.
Leah Montesano
Senior Counsel at Discovery
Leah Montesano is Senior Counsel at Discovery, focusing on media and entertainment law.
Leita Walker
Partner at Ballard Spahr
Leita Walker is a Partner at Ballard Spahr, specializing in media and First Amendment law.
Linda Amster
Former Researcher at The New York Times
Linda Amster is a former researcher for The New York Times, contributing to the Pentagon Papers project.
Lisa Dayan
Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine
Lisa Dayan is a Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, focusing on media and First Amendment law.
Marc Fuller
Partner at Vinson & Elkins
Marc Fuller is a Partner at Vinson & Elkins, focusing on media and First Amendment law.
Maribel Perez Wadsworth
President, News at Gannett
Maribel Perez Wadsworth is the President of News at Gannett and Publisher of USA TODAY, leading the company's news operations.
Mark Prak
Partner at Brooks Pierce
Mark Prak is a Partner at Brooks Pierce, specializing in media law.
Mary Kate Tischler
Senior Counsel at WarnerMedia
Mary Kate Tischler is Senior Counsel at WarnerMedia, focusing on legal issues in media and entertainment.
Matt Schaefer
Senior Counsel at CBSViacom
Matt Schaefer is Senior Counsel at CBSViacom, specializing in media law.
Matt Topic
Partner at Loevy & Loevy
Matt Topic is a Partner at Loevy & Loevy, specializing in FOIA and transparency litigation.
Matthew Leish
Partner at Miller Korzenik
Matthew Leish is a Partner at Miller Korzenik, focusing on media and First Amendment law.
Megan Gray
General Counsel at DuckDuckGo
Megan Gray is the General Counsel at DuckDuckGo, focusing on privacy and digital rights.
Michael Goettig
Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine
Michael Goettig is a Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, specializing in media law.
Mickey H. Osterreicher
General Counsel at National Press Photographers Association
Mickey H. Osterreicher is the General Counsel for the National Press Photographers Association, focusing on legal issues affecting visual journalists.
Robert Bertsche
Partner at Klaris Law
Robert Bertsche is a Partner at Klaris Law, specializing in media and First Amendment law.
RonNell Andersen
Professor of Law at University of Utah Law School
RonNell Andersen is a Professor of Law at the University of Utah Law School, specializing in First Amendment law.
Sally Buzbee
Executive Editor at The Washington Post
Sally Buzbee is the Executive Editor of The Washington Post, overseeing the newspaper's editorial operations.
Scott Sholder
Partner at Cowan DeBaets
Scott Sholder is a Partner at Cowan DeBaets, specializing in music copyright law.
Stephanie Abrutyn
Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel at HBO
Stephanie Abrutyn is the Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel at HBO, overseeing legal matters for the network.
Tenaya Rodewald
Partner at Sheppard Mullin
Tenaya Rodewald is a Partner at Sheppard Mullin, specializing in copyright law.
Terence Keegan
Partner at Miller Korzenik
Terence Keegan is a Partner at Miller Korzenik, specializing in media law.
Theresa House
Partner at Arnold & Porter
Theresa House is a Partner at Arnold & Porter, focusing on media and First Amendment law.
Thomas Williams
Partner at Haynes & Boone
Thomas Williams is a Partner at Haynes & Boone, focusing on media and First Amendment law.
Tiffani Lambie
Associate at Davis Wright Tremaine
Tiffani Lambie is an Associate at Davis Wright Tremaine, specializing in media law.
Tom Hentoff
Partner at Williams & Connolly
Tom Hentoff is a Partner at Williams & Connolly, focusing on media and First Amendment law.
Tom Rosenstiel
Executive Director at American Press Institute
Tom Rosenstiel is the Executive Director of the American Press Institute, focusing on journalism research and innovation.
Event Details
- Date
- September 30 - October 1, 2021
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Reston, United States
- Lansdowne Resort Hotel
- Audience
- Experienced media defense lawyers
- CLE Credits
- Approved for six hours of general legal education in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Texas; applications pending in California and Washington.