Libel and First Amendment Law
We represent several newspapers and radio stations in Oregon and Washington, including the largest daily newspaper in Oregon. We also represent national broadcasting networks, a major wire service and various trade publications with respect to defamation and other communications law matters. Our responsibilities include the defense of defamation claims and right-of-privacy litigation, prepublication review of material to be published, defense of nonmedia clients in defamation and product disparagement matters, defense of journalists concerning First Amendment rights and litigation concerning access to courtroom proceedings and public records and reporting standards.
Copyright and Trademark
The firm advises a number of clients in the publishing and advertising fields in questions relating to copyright and trademark registration, licensing and infringement. We have litigated copyright and trademark cases for publishers, advertisers and authors. We represent a major Northwest advertising agency and have presented seminars on advertising law.
Licensing
The firm represents radio and television stations in many matters relating to licensing and business permits. The firm has experience in representing broadcasters in license renewal proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission.
General Corporate Law and Litigation
We represent newspaper publishers in major antitrust litigation and in other litigation matters not unique to the media law field. We also provide general corporate advice to media and communications industry clients.
Representative Projects
Oregonian Publishing Co., Inc. v. Portland School District
(October 7, 1999). Public records access.
Successful effort to obtain school district's investigative report regarding theft scheme by district employees.
Oregonian v. City of Portland
Multnomah County Circuit Court (1998), appeal pending. Public records access.
Successful effort to obtain internal investigative report regarding discipline of high ranking police officer.
State of Oregon v. Kinkel
Oregon Supreme Court No. S45577 (1998). Access to court documents.
Successful effort to unseal search warrant materials relating to prosecution of Kipland Kinkel (highly publicized high school shooting perpetrator in Springfield, Oregon).
Cunningham v. The Oregonian Newspaper
154 Or App 448, ___ P2d ___ (1998). Libel.
Successful defense of libel action.
Weidner v. Baker
et al., 1998 WL 417439 (9th Cir 1998). Libel, conspiracy.
Successful defense of frivolous libel and conspiracy action against elected officials and The Oregonian.
State ex rel Sports Management News, Inc. v. Nachtigal
324 Or 80, 921 P2d 1304 (1996). Access to court documents.
Successful effort, as intervenor, to overturn sealing and gag order in trade secret litigation.
Laine v. City of Rockaway
134 Or App 655, 896 P2d 1219 (1995). Public records access.
Successful effort to obtain disclosure of fire department records.