Related Practices

Admitted to Practice

Virginia, 2009
District of Columbia, 2010
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 2010
U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia, 2011
U.S. District Court District of Columbia, 2011
U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit, 2012

Micah J. Ratner

Associate

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Washington, D.C.

T202.973.4223

F202.973.4423

Micah Ratner focuses on litigation and regulatory matters involving communications, technology, financial services, and media companies. He litigates defamation, copyright, trademark, reporter’s privilege, contract, right of publicity, and privacy cases in federal and state courts and advises television, magazine, newspaper, and book-publishing clients on pre-broadcast and pre-publication legal issues. Micah also counsels clients on privacy and data security rules, regulations, and legislation.

Representative Experience

Boley v. Atlantic Monthly Group and Jeffrey Goldberg

Defending the Atlantic and its award-winning journalist in defamation claim arising from online articles reporting that plaintiff was a Liberian "warlord," whose organization "recruited and armed child soldiers, fed them drugs, and ordered them to rape and kill." No. 13-cv-89 (D.D.C. 2013; Ongoing)

Farah v. Esquire Magazine

Defending libel claim for a satirical blog post about the book "Where’s the Birth Certificate?"; obtained first federal dismissal under new D.C. Anti-SLAPP Act and 12(b)(6) for "satirical commentary." 863 F. Supp. 2d 29 (D.D.C. 2012). Appeal pending, No. 12-7055 (D.C. Cir. 2012; Ongoing)

Mortensen v. Bresnan Communications

Representing Internet service provider Bresnan Communications in federal privacy lawsuit challenging the use of ad-targeting technology. Won dismissal and currently on appeal to the 9th Circuit. (D. Mont.; 9th Cir. Ongoing)

Sherrod v. Breitbart, 3M v. Davis

Representing as amici 18 leading media organizations and professional associations seeking to reverse a decision declining to apply the speech protective provisions of the recently enacted D.C. Anti SLAPP Act in federal diversity actions as conflicting with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Sherrod brief and 3M brief. (D.C. Cir. pending, Ongoing)

Jimenez v. Franklin

Represented a detainee who was beaten by deputies in the Los Angeles County Jail. Represented client during an 11-day jury trial, after which Mr. Jimenez was awarded compensatory and punitive damages and Davis Wright Tremaine was awarded attorney fees. (9th Cir. 2007) Subsequently represented Mr. Jimenez in a successful appeal regarding adjudication of disputed outstanding judgment amount, resulting in published opinion. 680 F.3d 1096 (9th Cir. 2012)

Patock v. Fox et al

Obtained dismissal of defamation claims against NBC, CNN, Gannett (Arizona Republic), and Journal Communications (KGUN) relating to news reports of plaintiff's arrest and alleged threats to shoot the president. (E.D. Va. 2012)

Peppe v. Random House

Defended Random House in right of publicity suit arising from publication of former CIA agent's photographs in national bestseller, "First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan." CL 10003938 (Alexandria (Va.) Cir. Ct. 2012)

Epstein v. Edwards

Successfully moved to quash non-party state subpoena to newspaper for interview of defendant in civil suit for sexual abuse. (2011)

Mobile payment for major financial institution

Representation of major financial institution in establishing mobile wallet collaboration using near field communication. (2011)

Online marketplace for leading technology provider

Representation of leading technology provider with payments and related issues for online marketplaces. (2011)

Lopez et al. v. Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Successfully defended leading non-profit advocacy group against alleged RICO violations before US District Court for the District of Columbia and U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. (D.C. Cir. 2010)

Additional Qualifications

Summer Associate, Davis Wright Tremaine, Washington, D.C., 2008
Legal Intern, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Legislative Office of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Washington, D.C., 2008
Legal Intern, Fair Elections Legal Network (FELN), Washington, D.C., 2006-2008
Interim Executive Director; Director, Finance and Development – United Council of University of Wisconsin Students, Madison, Wis., 2005-2006
Organizer, New Voters Project, Cedar Falls, Iowa., 2004

Professional & Community Activities

Virginia Bar Association
Federal Communications Bar Association
American Bar Association
Media Law Committee of the Arts, Entertainment and Sports Law Section, District of Columbia Bar Association

Education

J.D., American University Washington College of Law, 2009, cum laude
- Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law
- Student Attorney, General Practice Clinic
B.A., History, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2004, with distinction
- Civitan Scholarship for Community Service
- UNC London Honors Study Abroad Program