Robert Corn-Revere

Partner

I believe in a free society, the censor never has the moral high ground.

Bob Corn-Revere has long been a leader in advising clients in the areas of media, communications, and information technology law. He is a tireless advocate for his clients’ First Amendment rights, with particular experience applying these protections to new communications technologies. As a former Federal Communications Commission official, he has helped clients navigate complex regulations and administrative proceedings, and as a former journalist, he assists media organizations in their ability to gather and disseminate information.

Bob has advocated for his clients in courts across the country, including all of the federal appellate courts and the United States Supreme Court. He has won landmark First Amendment victories that extend full constitutional protections into novel areas. His practice runs the gamut from assisting major corporations with issues ranging from content regulation, newsgathering issues, and commercial speech regulation, to helping individuals cope with speech restrictions.

Practice Highlights

Landmark cases

Served as counsel in the Supreme Court in United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc., and United States v. Stevens, setting important First Amendment precedents. Represented CBS Corporation against the FCC in the Super Bowl “wardrobe malfunction” case, forcing the agency to pay back fines it had assessed.

Campus free speech

Litigated over a dozen cases involving the First Amendment rights of public university students and faculty members as outside counsel for the Stand Up For Speech initiative of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.

Coping with novel issues

Represents an organization of writers and journalists challenging the President of the United States for his threats and retaliatory acts toward the press in PEN American Center Inc. v. Trump. Read the amended complaint.

Successfully petitioned Governor George E. Pataki to grant the first posthumous pardon in New York history, to the late comedian Lenny Bruce, in a landmark pro bono case. Read the pardon petition.

Admitted to Practice

District of Columbia, 1983
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit

Education

J.D., The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, 1983
- Lead Articles Editor, Catholic University Law Review
M.A., University of Massachusetts, 1980
B.A., Eastern Illinois University, 1977

Memberships & Affiliations

- Past National Chairman, First Amendment Lawyers Association
- Member, International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences
- Editorial Advisor, Free Expression in America Series, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
- Media Institute First Amendment Advisory Council, 1997-present (Chair, 1997-2003; Board of Trustees, 1997-2003)
- Adjunct Scholar, Cato Institute, Washington, D.C.
- Advisory Board, First Amendment Salon
- Freedom to Read Foundation Board, 2000-2002

Professional Recognition

- Selected by Best Lawyers as Washington, D.C.'s "Lawyer of the Year" in both First Amendment Litigation and First Amendment Law, 2017; selected in First Amendment Law, 2019; selected in First Amendment Litigation, 2021; selected in Media Law, 2022
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Communications, Entertainment, First Amendment and Media Law by Best Lawyers, 2010-present; named in Entertainment, First Amendment and Media Law, 2009; named in First Amendment and Media Law, 2008; named in Media Law, 2007
- Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in Media & Entertainment (D.C), 2005-2017, 2019-2021; Media & Entertainment: Regulatory (D.C.), 2012, 2014-2017; First Amendment Litigation (Nationwide), 2015-2016, 2018-2021; Received "Band 1" ranking for Media & Entertainment (D.C.), 2012-2017, 2019-2021
- Selected to "Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers" by Thomson Reuters, 2008-2021; Top in First Amendment/Media/Advertising, 2008-2015; in Communications, 2011-2015
- National Press Photographers Association, Kenneth P. McLaughlin Award of Merit, 2014
- Named to "Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll" by the D.C. Court of Appeals and the D.C. Superior Court, 2012-2014, 2016-2020; High Honors 2013, 2017-2020
- Honorary Doctor of law and Commencement Speaker, Eastern Illinois University, 2012
- Selected to "Washington, D.C.’s Top 100 Super Lawyers," 2011
- Vickie Award, Victoria Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance, 2011
- Davis Wright Tremaine Willard J. Wright Award, 2011
- Distinguished Alumnus Award, Eastern Illinois University, 2009
- Named one of "Washington’s Top Lawyers" in First Amendment law and Communications law, 2009, 2011; by Washingtonian Magazine
- Named one of the "Top 100 Outside Counsel Power Lawyers," Hollywood Reporter ESQ., 2007
- Selected as one of "Ten of the D.C. Area's Top Communications Lawyers," Legal Times, 2007

Background

- Partner, Hogan & Hartson LLP, 1994-2003
- Chief Counsel to Chairman James H. Quello, Federal Communications Commission, 1993
- Legal Advisor to Commissioner James H. Quello, Federal Communications Commission, 1989-1993
- Associate, Hogan & Hartson, Washington, D.C., 1985-1989
- Associate, Steptoe & Johnson LLP, Washington, D.C., 1983-1985
- Adjunct Professor, Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., 1987-2001

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