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Kelli L. Sager

Partner

T 213.633.6821 Los Angeles
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Kelli Sager has more than 35 years of experience representing all kinds of media/entertainment companies, including web publishers, broadcasters, filmmakers, newspapers, and book publishers. She consistently has been recognized as one of the top First Amendment attorneys in the country: among other accolades, Chambers USA has ranked her for over 10 consecutive years in its top tier of media attorneys in the U.S.; she has been one of Lawdragon's 500 Leading Lawyers in America since 2005, and she regularly is included in the Los Angeles Daily Journal's lists of top lawyers in California. In 2019, Kelli received the "Excellence in Advocacy" award from the Beverly Hills Bar Association, the first woman to receive that honor. Kelli has argued dozens of times in federal and state appellate courts, including many times in the California Supreme Court and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. She has served in leadership roles in virtually every media-related bar association and nonprofit, including chairing the ABA Forum on Communications Law, the IBA's Media Committee, and the Media Law Resource Center Defense Counsel Section.

Practice Highlights

Has appeared numerous times before the California Supreme Court and the California Courts of Appeal, and before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, including such cases as Rall v. Tribune 365 LLC, Maloney v. T3 Media, Brown v. Electronic Arts and Keller v. Electronic Arts, NBC Subsidiary v. Superior Court, Shulman v. CBS, California Comm'n on Peace Officer Standards and Training v. Superior Court, Burkle v. Burkle, ALADS v. Los Angeles Times, and Thomas v. Los Angeles Times.

Regularly represents media outlets requesting access to records and proceedings in high-profile trials, including the trials of O.J. Simpson, Ermias Asghedom (aka "Nipsey Hussle"), Phil Spector, Winona Ryder, Anthony Pellicano, Robert Blake, and others.

White v. EHM Productions, et al.

Successfully represented EHM and Warner Bros. in defending against a lawsuit brought by Angela White (a/k/a "Blac Chyna," of "Rob and Chyna" fame). The lawsuit arose from an article on the TMZ website about court records from an ongoing custody fight between Chyna and Rob Kardashian. Chyna sued for defamation, invasion of privacy, and conversion, among other claims; the court granted TMZ's SLAPP motion, dismissing the entire case. (Los Angeles Cnty. (Cal). Sup. Ct. 2021)

Katherine Hill v. Kenneth Heslep et al.

Successfully represented Associated Newspapers Ltd in a lawsuit brought by former Congressperson Katie Hill in Los Angeles Superior Court, arising from its publication of an article about her resignation from Congress that included redacted copies of the photos that led to her resignation. The court rejected Hill's claim that publication of the redacted photographs violated California's "revenge porn" statute. (Los Angeles Cnty. (Cal.) Super. Ct. 2021)

Blankenship v. Napolitano, et al.

Represented a coalition of 15 media companies and their individual reporters in a defamation suit brought by former coal executive and West Virginia GOP Senate primary candidate Don Blankenship concerning news reports that referenced his conviction for conspiracy to violate mine-safety laws. Just before DWT filed motions to dismiss on behalf of all of their clients, on August 16, 2019, Blankenship agreed to voluntarily dismiss eight of the companies (and their reporters). In March 2020, the district court issued an order granting DWT's motion to dismiss on jurisdictional grounds, resulting in the dismissal of all but one of DWT's clients. In February 2022, the court granted the remaining defendants motion for summary judgment, which the 4th Circuit affirmed on appeal. (4th Cir. 2023)

David Zindel v. Fox Searchlight Pictures, Inc., and Macmillan Publishing Group, et al.

Represented Macmillan Publishing Group LLC in defending against a copyright infringement lawsuit involving Macmillan's book, "The Shape of Water," which was published in conjunction with the Academy Award-winning film. Obtained dismissal of Macmillan with prejudice on an initial motion to dismiss, in a ruling obtained in July 2018. Following remand by the 9th Circuit, the parties engaged in limited discovery before plaintiffs dismissed their lawsuit. (C.D. Cal. 2019-2021)

Jenelle Butler and Crezdon Butler v. Stage 29 Productions, LLC, et al.

Representing Stage 29 Productions LLC against plaintiff Jenelle Butler in connection with her appearance on "The Doctors" television program, which is aired by CBS, in October 2017. She claims, in two suits filed back-to-back in Florida and California, that surgery performed by a Florida plastic surgeon who also appeared on the program injured her; in addition to suing him for malpractice in Florida, she also has sued the production company for "negligent selection" and "negligent breach of a voluntary undertaking." Her husband also has sued Stage 29, alleging a single claim for loss of consortium. (Los Angeles Cnty. (Cal). Sup. Ct.; Fla. Sup. Ct. Ongoing)
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Admitted to Practice

  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1997
  • California, 1985
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit, 2008
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 1986
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, 1997
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1986
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 1989
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1986
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, 1989
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 2001

Education

  • J.D., University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, 1985
    • Editor-in-Chief, Utah Law Review
  • B.A., Political Science, Journalism, West Georgia College, 1981, cum laude
  • University of Southern California

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Ad Hoc Committee on Cameras in the Courtroom, Judicial Council of the 9th Circuit, 2019-2022
    • Chair, North American Forum, 2020-present; Chair, Media Committee, 2009-2011 – International Bar Association
    • President, 2008-2009; Ex-Officio, 2009-2010; Executive Committee Member, 2006-2008 – Media Law Resource Center Defense Counsel Section
    • Bench Bar Media Steering Committee, Judicial Council of California, 2008-2010
    • Western Division Chair, 2002-2016; Immediate Past Chair, 2000-2002; Former Chair, 1998-2000; Governing Board, 1997-1998 – ABA Forum on Communications Law
    • Chair, 9th Circuit Conference Executive Committee, 2008-2009; Program Chair, 2007-2008; Committee Member, 2005-2007; 9th Circuit Judicial Conference Attorney Delegate (C.D. Cal.), 2002-200; Public Information and Community Outreach Committee, 2009-present
    • International Advisory Board, National Institute of Entertainment and Media Law, Southwestern University of Law, 2001-present
    • Donald W. Reynolds National Center for the Courts and Media Advisory Committee, National Judicial College, 2000-present
    • Co-chair, First Amendment Committee, Litigation Section, American Bar Association, 2005-2008
    • Board of Directors, 2002-2006; Treasurer, 2005-2006 – Los Angeles Copyright Society
    • Board of Directors, Public Counsel, 2001-2007

Professional Recognition

    • Named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in First Amendment Litigation (Nationwide), 2007-2024; in Media & Entertainment: First Amendment Litigation (California), 1996-2024; named a "Star Individual" for Media & Entertainment: First Amendment Litigation (California), 2017-2024; named one of two "Star Individuals" for First Amendment Litigation (Nationwide), 2011-2024
    • Selected as Los Angeles' "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in First Amendment Law, 2012-2014, 2016, 2018; selected in First Amendment Litigation and Media Law, 2019, 2024
    • Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in First Amendment Law, 1997-present; in Media Law, 2007-present; in Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television, 2013-present; in Litigation - First Amendment Law, 2016-present
    • Selected to "Southern California Super Lawyers" by Thomson Reuters, 2004-2024
    • Selected to the "Legal Impact Report: Top Entertainment Attorneys" by Variety, 2025
    • Named as one of "500 Leading Lawyers in America" by Lawdragon 2005, 2007, 2010-2017, 2020, 2023-2024; named as one of "500 Leading Litigators in America," 2006, 2022, 2024; named as one of "500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers," 2025
    • Named as one of the "Top 100 Lawyers in California" by the Los Angeles Daily Journal, 1998-2004, 2008-2024; "Top Women Litigators," 2005-2021; "Top Women Lawyers," 2023-2024; "Top Intellectual Property Attorneys in California," 2008-2009, 2011-2021
    • Named to the "Top Lawyers" by the Los Angeles Business Journal, 2023-2025; received the "Legal Excellence Award," 2024
    • Named as one of the "Top 100 Power Lawyers" by the Hollywood Reporter, 2007-2012, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023; named as a "THR Legal Legend," 2024
    • Selected to "BTI Client Service All-Stars" by BTI Consulting Group, 2024
    • Named one of the "Most Influential Women Attorneys" by the Los Angeles Business Journal, 2018
    • Named "Media & Entertainment MVP of the Year" by Law360, 2017
    • Received the "John M. Davis Award for Outstanding Legal Expertise" from Davis Wright Tremaine, 2016
    • Selected to "Top 50 Women Southern California Super Lawyers" by Thomson Reuters, 2013-2016
    • Received the "Freedom of Information Award" from California Newspaper Publishers Association, 2015
    • Named as one of "Top 50 Most Influential Women Litigators" by the National Law Journal, 2007
    • Named to "The Legal 500 U.S. Edition," 2007
    • Named to "Who's Who in L.A. Law" by the Los Angeles Business Journal, 2007
    • Received the "First Amendment Award" from the American Civil Liberties Union, 1996
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Publications
04.09.25
News
Mentioned in "Variety's Legal Impact Report 2025: Meet Hollywood's Top Entertainment Attorneys," Variety Read More External Link
Publications
06.14.24
News
Davis Wright Tremaine's Kelli Sager Named a "Legal Legend" by The Hollywood Reporter Read More
Publications
06.10.24
News
New Chambers Rankings Affirm Davis Wright Tremaine's National Leadership in Key Industry Sectors Read More
Publications
08.17.23
News
2024 Edition of Best Lawyers Recognizes More Than 175 Davis Wright Tremaine Attorneys for Excellence Read More
Publications
06.05.23
News
Chambers USA Recognizes Davis Wright Tremaine for Leadership Across Key Industry Sectors and Honors the Firm for Excellence in 51 Practices Read More
Publications
05.26.23
News
"Top 100 Lawyers 2023 – Kelli Sager," Los Angeles Business Journal Read More External Link
Publications
01.20.23
News
Kelli Sager, Davis Wright Tremaine Partner, Appointed to 9th Circuit Advisory Board Read More
Publications
10.04.22
News
Media & Entertainment
Davis Wright Tremaine's Kelli Sager Named One of the Top 100 Lawyers in California Read More
Publications
06.07.22
News
Chambers USA Recognizes Davis Wright Tremaine for Excellence in Key Practice Areas and Industry-Leading Success With DEI Read More
Publications
03.30.22
News
Media & Entertainment
Kelli Sager of Davis Wright Tremaine Named to the Hollywood Reporter's 2022 List of Power Lawyers Read More
Publications
05.21.21
News
Davis Wright Tremaine Recognized by Chambers USA for Industry-Leading Excellence in Key Practice Areas Read More
Presentation
11.13.20
Presentations
Media & Entertainment
Panelist, "Right of Publicity and Related Claims," Communications Law in the Digital Age 2020, PLI webinar Read More
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