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Desktop Image: Alison Schary
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Alison Schary

She/Her

Partner

T 202.973.4248 Washington, D.C.
I translate complex legal issues into practical, real-world advice.
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Alison Schary is a media, entertainment and intellectual property attorney with deep experience as both a counselor and a litigator. She works closely with filmmakers, podcasters, editors, writers, production companies, networks, and other content creators and distributors to help them bring their creative vision to the world while minimizing legal risk. Clients turn to her to advise on high-risk projects including scripted docudramas based on real people and events, documentaries and docuseries, theatrical productions, memoirs, investigative reporting, and projects that rely heavily on fair use.

Alison is also an effective and strategic litigator with experience litigating high-profile cases and matters of first impression. She regularly defends clients in cases involving defamation, right of publicity, theft of ideas, copyright infringement, invasion of privacy, and other content-related claims.

Practice Highlights

Pre-publication review and vetting

Counsel publishers, reporters, and content creators across all media formats and platforms to help them publish their work while mitigating legal risk. Advise on newsgathering issues, access to courts and public records, defamation, privacy, and fair use.

Media and First Amendment litigation

Defend clients against defamation, invasion of privacy, right of publicity, and related claims. Experienced litigator with trial experience and tech savvy who has represented clients in high-profile lawsuits.

Copyright and trademark litigation

Represent clients both as plaintiffs and defendants in claims for copyright and trademark infringement and violation of the Lanham Act.
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Admitted to Practice

  • District of Columbia, 2013
  • New York, 2009
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit, 2013
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2011
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2011
  • U.S. District Court, District of Maryland, 2013
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2014
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, 2014
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, 2014

Education

  • J.D., Harvard Law School, 2008
    • Editor-in-Chief, International Law Journal
    • Citizen Media Law Project, Berkman Center for Internet & Society
  • M.Phil., Anglo-Irish Literature, Trinity College Dublin, 2005
    • Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar
  • B.A., English, Yale University, 2004, magna cum laude
    • Phi Beta Kappa
    • Yale Daily News

Memberships & Affiliations

    • ABA Forum on Communications Law, Training & Development Committee
    • Media Law Resource Center
    • Former Vice-Chair, D.C. Bar Arts, Entertainment, Media and Sports Section

Professional Recognition

    • Named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in Media & Entertainment (District of Columbia), 2024-2025; Listed as "Up and Coming," 2023
    • Selected to a list of "Ones to Watch" in Entertainment and Sports Law (Washington, D.C.), Best Lawyers, 2022
    • Named a "D.C. Rising Star," National Law Journal, 2020
    • One of three lawyers nationwide named a "2020 Rising Star" in Media & Entertainment Law, Law360, 2020
    • National Press Photographers Association, Kenneth P. McLaughlin Award of Merit, 2014
    • 2012 Community Service Society of New York, Pro Bono Award Recipient for pro bono pre-publication review on a series of investigative pieces for City Limits Magazine
    • Named to "Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll" by the D.C. Court of Appeals and the D.C. Superior Court, 2012-2013

Background

    • Litigation Associate, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, New York, N.Y., 2008-2011
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