Representative Experience
Chamber of Commerce of the United States v. Servin, et al.
Defending the free speech rights of the Yes Men against trademark claims filed after the Yes Men performed a political parody of the Chamber's controversial position on global climate change. USDC D.C. 09cv 2014 (Ongoing)
Linda Cawley v. Vancouver Columbian
Defended newspaper in defamation action brought by teacher, based on published articles about investigation into alleged classroom assault, with trial court granting summary judgment. (Clark Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2013)
United States Mission Corporation v. KIRO-TV, Inc.
Secured dismissal of libel by implication claim brought against local television station stemming from investigative report about halfway house’s requirement that its residents–some of them criminals–perform door-to-door solicitations on its behalf. Court of Appeals affirmed trial court decision. 2013 Wash. App. LEXIS 44 (Wash. App. 2013)
Bertsch v. Twentieth Century Fox Television, et al.
Represented Fox entities and Rupert Murdoch in lawsuit brought by plaintiff alleging that the film "Donnie Darko" and television series "The X-Files" and "Burn Notice" were based on his life. A day after defendants filed an anti-SLAPP motion, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit with prejudice. (W.D. Wash. 2012)
Davis v. Avvo, Inc.
Represented lawyer ratings website on unfair competition, misappropriation, and related claims brought by disgruntled attorney. Court granted special motion to strike the complaint under Washington's anti-SLAPP statute, awarding the defendant its attorneys' fees and the $10,000 statutory penalty. (W.D. Wash. 2012)
Davis, et al. v. Cox, et al.
In a derivative action, defended the First Amendment rights of the Olympia Food Cooperative’s Board to enact a boycott of Israeli products in support of a movement seeking economic and social justice for Palestinians. On Feb. 27, 2012, the Superior Court granted defendants’ motion to strike. (Thurston Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2012)
Peterson v. Kellogg
Represented counterclaim defendant against libel and related claims stemming from his Better Business Bureau complaint and reviews about the plaintiff’s vintage Land Rover repair and restoration business. Defendant brought anti-SLAPP motion, and court denied plaintiff’s request to lift the discovery stay. Case settled later that day. (Thurston Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2012)
ACLU v. Office of Director of National Intelligence, et. al.
Secured for national civil liberties organization a federal court order in 2011 requiring more detailed explanation from agencies that withheld records under the Freedom of Information Act relating to intelligence community's use of sweeping electronic surveillance powers under the 2008 FISA Amendments Act. (S.D.N.Y. 2011)
Castello v. City of Seattle
Obtained dismissal of defamation and related claims and award of attorneys' fees and costs under Washington's recently enacted anti-SLAPP statute, where claims arose from statements a public employee allegedly made to her superiors, a co-worker, and a local television station. 2011 WL 219671, 39 Media L. Rep. 1601 (W.D.Wash. 2011)
Phillips v. KIRO
Representation of KIRO-TV against defamation and privacy claims brought by Christopher Phillips, a former Renton-area eye surgeon. Obtained dismissal of claims, the case is on appeal by Phillips. Related cases: Phillips v. Seattle Times Co., Phillips v. Newspaper Holdings, Inc., Phillips v. World Publishing Co., Phillips v. Hearst Corporation, Inc. (W.D. Wash. 2011)
Snyder v. Phelps
Submitted amicus brief on behalf of twenty-two media organizations urging the U.S. Supreme Court to decide that intrusion and intentional infliction of emotional distress claims cannot be based solely on the publication of offensive opinions about matters of public concern. The Court agreed, ruling 8-1 that the speech at issue is protected by the First Amendment.
Read the amicus brief. 562 U.S. 9 (2011)
Sorrell v. IMS Health Inc.
Submitted amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of First Amendment rights of marketers and advertisers against Vermont statute requiring "opt-in" for any use of prescriber-identifiable data regarding prescription drug information. The Court held 6-3 that the state cannot restrict commercial speech for being too persuasive.
Read the amicus brief. (U.S. 2011)
The Boeing Company and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 751 - NLRB Proceeding
Represented major news provider before administrative law judge in NLRB proceeding in effort to ensure procedure regarding sealed documents comported with First Amendment right of access. Judge issued opinion recognizing that right applied even in the context of a federal administrative proceeding, a subject on which federal appellate courts are split. (2011)
Aronson v. Dog Eat Dog Films, Inc.
Successfully represented a film production company in motion to dismiss invasion of privacy and misappropriation claims relating to the documentary film 'Sicko.' This is the first substantive decision to apply Washington's new anti-SLAPP statute, which provides important procedural safeguards for media entities and others against unwarranted and meritless suits that stem from the exercise of defendants' First Amendment rights. 3738 F.Supp.2d 1104 ( W.D. Wash. 2010)
Curious Theatre Co. v. Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
Represented Theatre Communications Group, which includes 476 theaters, as amicus in support of First Amendment challenge to Colorado law outlawing theatrical smoking. (09-1118)
Read the amicus brief. 220 P.3d 544 (Colo. 2009) Cert. pet. (U.S. 2010)
Doe v. Reed
Submitted amicus brief on behalf of national and Washington state media in support of constitutionality of the Washington Public Records Act, which required public disclosure of names of referendum sponsors and signatures. 130 S.Ct. 2811 (U.S. 2010)
Seattle Times Co. v. Serko
Represented newspaper before Washington Supreme Court and trial court in public records litigation over police investigative files stemming from the 2009 shooting of four police officers. Obtained a unanimous decision that police records cannot be categorically withheld from public access, even in the face of a claim that disclosure threatens the suspect's fair trial rights. 170 Wash.2d 581, 243 P.3d 919 (Wash. App. 2010)
Brain vs. Halsne
Defended KIRO-7, a Seattle-based television station, and one of its reporters in a defamation lawsuit brought by a Tacoma, Wash., pediatric dentist. Cause No. 07-06234-9 (Pierce Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2009)
Cawley-Herrmann v. Meredith Corporation
Successfully represented Meredith Corp., owner of KPTV in Portland, Ore., in motion to dismiss and subsequent motion for reconsideration in a lawsuit brought by plaintiff alleging a new theory of invasion of privacy through the publicity of her identity as the subject of allegedly false and unsubstantiated allegations. 654 F.Supp.2d 1264 (W.D. Wash. 2009)
Hust v. State of Wyoming, et al.
In federal court, represented media defendants accused by the plaintiff of defamation. Defendants won a dismissal with prejudice on grounds that the two-year statute of limitations had expired. The dismissal was affirmed by the 9th Circuit in March 2010. 372 Fed. Appx. 708, 2010 WL 1174584 (W.D. Wash. 2009)
Hutchison v. KIRO Inc.
Represented local television station in a motion to unseal summary judgment documents filed in a discrimination lawsuit brought by a former news anchor. The court ordered the documents to be unsealed with only a few redactions. Cause No. 03-2-39320-7 (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2009)
United States of America v. Lucretia and United States v. Ferris
Represented CBC in granting an order, in part, to intervene and unseal documents from federal criminal court files for use in its television program 'The Fifth Estate.' (2009)
Zango, Inc. v. Kaspersky Lab, Inc.
Summary judgment dismissing lawsuit against distributor of anti-malware products, recognizing 'robust' immunity under 47 U.S.C. § 230(c)(2) enabling consumer access to information about potentially 'objectionable' software. In 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit affirmed the lower court's 2007 dismissal. WL 1655217 (W.D. Wash., 9th Cir. 2009)
Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley, et al. v. Roommates.com, LLC
Submitted amicus brief on behalf of media amici in 9th Circuit's en banc review of the scope of immunity afforded by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to mixed-content websites. No. 04-56916 (en banc) 521 F.3d 1157 (9th Cir. 2008)
Walters v. Seattle School District No. 1
Represented the Seattle Times in an unusual lawsuit alleging civil rights violations arising from the newspaper's coverage of a recruiting scandal involving two high school basketball coaches. The district court granted the Times' motion to dismiss because it concluded that there were no valid allegations of conspiracy or of interference in contractual relations stemming from news coverage. 578 F.Supp.2d 1310 (W.D. Wash. 2008)
WizKids, LLC v. Michael, Best & Friedrich, LLP
Represented plaintiffs in legal malpractice claim arising from failure of prior patent counsel to secure U.S. patent rights on collectible miniature war game; successfully settled. (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2008)
Browne v. Avvo, Inc.
Defended attorney evaluation website. Court granted motion to dismiss on First Amendment opinion grounds, also holding that distribution of information is not 'commerce' under state consumer protection laws. 525 F. Supp. 2d 1249 (W.D. Wash. 2007)
Clapp v. Olympic View Publishing Co.
Represented defendant in favorable application of public reports privilege by Division II in defamation lawsuit, affirming dismissal of case on the pleadings. 137 Wn. App. 470, 154 P.3d 230 (Wash. App. 2007)
Paterson v. Little, Brown & Co.
Secured summary judgment dismissing defamation and false light claims brought by 'father of DOS' computer operating system against book publisher, author and researcher on grounds that statements in suit were protected opinion or were not published with actual malice. 502 F. Supp. 2d 1124 (W.D. Wash. 2007)
Powers v. City of Seattle
Successfully represented The Seattle Times Company in an opposing motion to join media entities as indispensable parties in a defamation lawsuit filed by terminated city employee against City of Seattle. Judge ruled that our client would not be added as a defendant. 242 F.R.D. 566 (W.D. Wash. 2007)
Read more
Berry v. Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Won dismissal of copyright lawsuit against book publisher on jurisdictional grounds. 448 F. Supp. 2d 1202 (W.D. Wash. 2006)
Spafford v. EchoStar Communications Corp.
Represented defendant in a First Amendment challenge to regulations barring telephone solicitation, but the court declined our client's motion to dismiss. 448 F. Supp. 2d 1220 (W.D. Wash. 2006)
Fidelity Mortgage Corp. v. The Seattle Times Company
Affirmed dismissal of lawsuit alleging unfair trade practice liability by the newspaper's real estate news articles and mortgage rate advertising policies, resulting in a sanctions award against the plaintiff and his attorney. 131 Wn. App. 462, 128 P.3d 621 (2005)
Read more
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. v. Expeditors (Japan) Ltd.
Dismissal of Japanese contract claims for lack of federal diversity jurisdiction. 224 F.R.D. 661 (W.D. Wash. 2004)
Read more
Harris v. City of Seattle
On behalf of local broadcaster, granted summary judgment dismissing false light, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and outrage claims by former public official. 315 F. Supp. 2d 1105 (W.D. Wash. 2004)
Grassmueck v. Barnett
Represented plaintiff in a suit alleging breach of duty of care. Defendant claimed they shouldn't be sued for mismanagement because their articles of incorporation had indemnification provisions. However, the judge ruled that the director protection provision in the corporation's articles do not shield defendant directors and officers from liability, and the plaintiff's motion to dismiss was denied. 281 F. Supp. 2d 1227 (W.D. Wash. 2003)
Viacom Outdoor, Inc. v. Clallam County (Wash.)
Represented client in successful challenge to county sign ordinance. WL 21781131 (W.D. Wash. 2003)