The firm represents print and electronic media clients and individuals in litigation and counseling. The firm has handled numerous defamation cases. It has a unique specialty in litigation under the California Public Records Act, with its attorneys having successfully argued two Public Records Act cases before the California Supreme Court which vindicated the public’s right of access to public employee salaries and the public’s right of access to public officials’ emails on their “private” electronic devices. The firm has also successfully handled many other cases before the Courts of Appeal and trial courts.

The firm’s experience in defamation litigation includes successfully defending many cases at the trial and appellate court levels, and obtaining attorney’s fees recovery for clients after successful anti-SLAPP motions.

In addition to its litigation practice, the firm offers clients pre-publication and pre-broadcast counseling. It has also counseled clients and litigated cases in the areas of copyright and trademark law.

Representative Work

  • Represented Contra Costa Newspapers in case which vindicated public’s right of access to public employees’ salaries, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 21 v. Superior Court (Contra Costa Newspapers, real party in interest) (2007) 42 Cal. 4th 319.
  • Represented media amici in City of San Jose v. Superior Court, the 2017 decision which held that public has right to see emails sent by public officials and employees using their “private” phones to conduct public business.
  • Represented Sacramento Bee in Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System v. Superior Court (2011) 195 Cal. App. 4th 440, the case which held that public has right to know the pension amounts of named public employees.
Media Law