Courtney DeThomas is a skilled and thoughtful litigator who specializes in guiding clients through thorny legal issues in the tech, telecom, and media industries. She has experience in all phases of litigation, including trying federal jury trials through verdict. Her listening and people skills, combined with her legal acumen, get results for technology-focused clients faced with competitive business disputes. She excels in advancing the interests of her communications industry clients, from helping them achieve practical solutions to contract and real estate disputes to overcoming hurdles to the deployment of telecommunications networks and facilities nationwide. She also regularly advocates for media clients, including publishers, journalists, broadcasters, and content creators who are fighting defamation suits and subpoenas.
Courtney understands that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to her clients' problems. Instead, she tailors her advice to their unique needs and goals and looks for strategic ways to achieve their desired outcome. Courtney's clients include a leading wireless carrier, wireless infrastructure developers, cloud service providers, major social media and data services companies, broadcasters, publishers, environmental advocacy groups, and nonprofits.
Courtney maintains an active pro bono practice and is proud to represent clients in matters relating to Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA") requests, free speech and due process violations, reproductive rights, and applications for asylum.
Energy Transfer LP v. Greenpeace
Defamation defense
Defense of cloud services provider
Subpoena defense
Defense of data services provider
Admitted to Practice
- District of Columbia, 2018
- California, 2013
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
Education
- J.D., Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, 2013, cum laude
- Executive Board Member and Competitor, Julius H. Miner Moot Court
- Editorial Staff, Journal of International Law and Business
- B.A., Journalism and Mass Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2007, highest honors
- Academic All-American and Team Captain, Division I Varsity Gymnastics Team
- Minor, Creative Writing
Professional Recognition
- Selected to a list of "Ones to Watch" in Communications Law (Washington, D.C.), Best Lawyers, 2022
- Received the "Courageous Luminary Award" for work on a FOIA action regarding information-sharing by state driver's license agencies, National Immigration Law Center, 2015
- Named to "Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll" by the D.C. Court of Appeals and the D.C. Superior Court, 2024 (High Honors)
Background
- Associate, Litigation, Paul Hastings LLP, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, 2013-2019
- Extern, Hon James B. Zagel, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, 2011
- Assistant Editor, Random House Publishing Group, New York, N.Y., 2008-2010