With an expert practice in domestic and international copyright litigation, Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC leverages the team’s bench strength to advise its impressive multinational client base on copyright counseling, clearance, prosecution, enforcement and litigation. The firm’s high-profile client roster is far-reaching and includes clients from music, sports, publishing, video games and retail industries, such as Universal Music Group, Barclays, and Capitol Records. Jonathan King oversees the department in New York, drawing on deep experience handling copyright and infringement cases in the federal courts nationwide. Seasoned litigator, Richard Mandel, is lauded for serving as first chair in a variety of complex and protracted US IP cases. Thomas Kjellberg, specialist in copyright licensing and enforcement, handles cases involving photographers, artists and composers. Joelle Milov is lauded for securing and defending IP rights, particularly for clients in the music, food, financial, and sports industries. Joel Karni Schmidt boasts expertise in copyright clearance, prosecution and enforcement for clients cross media, entertainment, video game and retail sectors. All named lawyers are based in New York.

The trial and global disputes team at King & Spalding LLP continues to be a leading advisor on a wide range of IP matters, particularly those involving idea theft, First Amendment and defamation issues, employment and licensing disputes, and class actions. The firm serves as leading counsel to media, entertainment, and technology companies, including both traditional and new media. Kenneth Steinthal, a specialist in IP, tech, and traditional media, is at the forefront of defending clients using innovative approaches to distribution platforms, who leads the team from San Francisco. His leadership in arbitration proceedings initiated by two major US performance rights organizations has reinforced the firm’s strong reputation within the music industry. Arwen Johnson, based in Los Angeles, represents high-profile Hollywood clients. Her major arbitration victory for Netflix this year has further cemented her standing within the industry. David Mattern, who leads the firm’s Washington DC office in copyright law, is known for his extensive experience in managing court matters, making him a trusted advisor for major service providers and platforms navigating complex content issues.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP has a strong record in IP, with a high-profile advisory team that spans courts across the US and is recognized for its broad expertise in copyright protection and questions of copyrightability. The firm’s distinct group of copyright and trademark litigators has a national scope, with lawyers in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Bay Area, Boston, Austin, and Chicago. Dale Cendali chairs the practice in New York, leveraging extensive experience in IP litigation, including her work before the U.S. Supreme Court representing Oracle during the Google v Oracle Case. She represents high-profile clients, including celebrities, major studios and corporations in tech during high-stake infringement matters. Joshua Simmons co-leads and is a nationally recognized appellate and trial court litigator for media, tech and entertainment clients. Claudia Ray represents clients across a wide range of industries, with a notable focus on litigation, arbitration and administrative proceedings involving copyright. While Diana Torres , based in Los Angeles, focuses her practice on false advertising, trademark and trade secret matters for software developers, product manufactures, fitness service provides, entertainment and media companies. Unless otherwise stated, all named lawyers are based in New York.

Leveraging vast experience in high-stake copyright litigation, Latham & Watkins LLP is a key port of call for tech companies across the globe seeking representation and advice. Their clients include household names within entertainment, tech, art and generative AI such as Spotify, Google and Live Nation. Drawing on experience as General Counsel at the US Copyright Office, Sy Damle heads the Washington DC team and excels in litigation cases at the intersection of copyright law and emerging technology. Andrew Gass, based in Bay Area, is a recognized authority in the tech and media industries, representing household names like OpenAI and Internet Archive in cases of infringement. In New York, Allison Levine Stillman brings substantial experience in copyright litigation and is at the forefront of challenges concentrated in technology, media and entertainment. Bay Area-based Joe Wetzel draws on experience of big-ticket music and tech copyright cases, frequently serving as lead counsel. Other notable figures include litigation specialist Washington DC’s Elana Nightingale Dawson and veteran courtroom litigator Britt Lovejoy in the San Francisco office. Kristen Sheffield-Whitehead joined the San Francisco office in September 2024.

Loeb & Loeb LLP remains a market leader in addressing IP needs, from the development and acquisition of rights to the protection and enforcement of rights, the team strives to stay ahead of the curve in technological transformations. The group is highly regarded for its diverse portfolio of renowned and emerging clients, leveraging deep industry expertise with strong litigation skills to provide strategic representation across various sectors. Barry Slotnick, an authority in the field who represents the New York office, heads the entertainment and IP litigation practice. He brings extensive experience in copyright infringement cases to high-profile clients in the music, entertainment, advertising, licensing, and merchandising industries. David Grossman, based in Los Angeles, serves as co-chair and protects and defends clients IP assets, demonstrating expertise with high profile celebrities and athletes. Los Angeles’ Melanie Howard offers niche expertise in luxury brand practice, focusing on acquisition, protection and licensing for major brands, her practices also extends to entertainment, media, and e-sports. In 2024 Wook Hwang departed the firm and Michael Barry joined.

While managing and protecting a diverse array of international copyright portfolios, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP’s IP practice has a strong presence in the internet sector, sports, media, and entertainment industries. Heads oversee the department nationwide: In New York, seasoned litigators Rachel Epstein and Todd Anten head the practice, bringing experience in arguing cases for major brands in front of the state and federal courts. Los Angeles-based Daniel Posner, has experience in pursuing and defending against claims of unauthorized use in the federal courts and US Patent Office. Also in Los Angeles, Robert Schwartz is a recognised authority within the entertainment and media fields, handling high-stake IP cases. In Silicon Valley, Margret Caruso is a key representative of internet, technology and advertising companies who holds niche expertise in infringement cases concerning biochemical, computer and mechanical patents. Also in Silicon Valley, Rachel Herrick Kassabian specializes in representing internet sector businesses and tech startups. Chicago-based lawyer Andrew Schapiro offers trial and appellate experience in high-stakes copyright matters.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP’s IP/media practice addresses pressing issues for digital music streaming companies, social media platforms and entertainment companies, drawing on the teams strength in a myriad of copyright issues, ranging from licensing disputes and negotiations to rate-setting litigation involving music PROs. Clients include Getty Images, Alibaba Group, and Sanofi. Benjamin Marks heads the practice in New York and utilizes his unique blend of trial experience, economics, IP and media industry expertise; he is a key port of call for clients with complex disputes involving music copyright royalties. Seasoned trial lawyer Todd Larson is adept in music license litigation and royalty rate-setting disputes. Randi Singer departed in 2024.

ArentFox Schiff‘s copyright department is adept at handling a wide array of copyright issues, including assisting clients with selecting, registering, buying and selling copyrighted works as well as performing due diligence, draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements. Key clients are in the digital music, film, television, and theatre industries. Anthony Lupo heads the practice in Washington DC, bringing expertise in the entertainment, fashion and technology industries to represent high-profile clients such as Warner Bros., Yves Saint Laurent and Jimmy Choo. Qualified in both US and Latin American law, Ricardo Fischer offers niche expertise for advertising companies on trademark activities globally. Sharing time between New York and Boston, Matthew Finkelstein is well vested in managing high-value transactions involving the acquisition of copyrights and other IP rights. Adept in IP strategy and disputes at both state and federal levels is Michelle Mancino Marsh, who represents household names in the fashion industry. Ross Charap specialises in the transfer of music assets and the recapture of US copyrights. Unless otherwise stated, all named lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Arnold & Porter combines day-to-day and transactional advice with litigating business-critical cases with a varied client roster of major networks, streaming services, TV production companies, authors, sports leagues and motion picture studios. The firm is jointly led by co-chairs of the firm’s intellectual property practice group, Dina Hayes in Chicago and Douglas Winthrop in San Francisco. In New York Dori Hanswirth advises on copyright-related issues for a range of industries including fintech, internet services, nonprofits and social media. Los Angeles-based lawyer James Blackburn specializes on copyright litigation and counseling for tech, entertainment and media companies. Also in Los Angeles, Rhonda Trotter brings first-chair trial experience to represent clients in copyright matters. In New York, Theresa House is adept in a wide range of IP matters, focusing on counseling for entertainment companies.

Davis+Gilbert LLP‘s intellectual property and media team handles a wide range of issues related to the creation, protection, enforcement and use of IP. Based in New York, the firm is a leading provider for marketing and advertising firms, taking an industry-focused approach to safeguard the copyrights of the firm’s diverse client base including consumer goods, fashion, food and beverage. The team is headed by Ronald Urbach, an expert in advertising and marketing services. Marc Rachman brings expertise in matters involving IP infringement cases, specializing in disputes concerning music, photo, pictorial, sculptural and literary works. Guy Cohen leverages his practical knowledge as a trial lawyer and years of litigation experience in the IP practice to offer business-focused solutions to clients in media, manufacturing and retail. Sara Edelman counsels clients in content creation, advertising and fashion companies to enable a safe creation of content for brands. Ashima Dayal has great experience working with media and marketing clients through disputes regarding their content and use of third-party material. All named lawyers are based in New York.

The trademark, copyright and media group at DLA Piper LLP (US) utilizes its bench lawyers to advise on high-profile copyright claims involving household names in media, entertainment and tech. Their worldwide platform enables the firms expertise to coordinate copyright defense and enforcement activities globally. San Francisco partner Gina Durham leads the firm as a trial lawyer, representing tech clients in high-profile copyright disputes regarding emerging technologies. In New York, Tamar Duvdevani acts as US Chair of the firms copyright practice, bringing her expertise as a trial attorney to disputes involving trademarks and trade dress, copyrights, rights of publicity, false advertising, and digital media issues. Kevin Fee, based in Washington, specializes in high-stakes copyright and trademark litigation, while Rachel Fertig applies her experience in the media industry and US Copyright Office to work on generative AI cases.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP’s IP team operates across the US with particularly capabilities in complex litigation and works closely with major artist, record labels and estates in copyright infringement cases. Robert Jacobs, heads the team in Los Angeles, bringing strong expertise in entertainment litigation to high-level disputes. Nathaniel Bach offers expertise in high-profile media, entertainment and tech cases, acting for a broad client base of film studios, artists and brands. Jessica Wood is a key figure noted for her practice on IP transactions, offering tech, software, digital media and fashion industries. The practice extends to New York, where Lisa Rosaya provides legal and business counsel to industry-leading clients on IP challenges and Samantha Katze, a seasoned litigator, acts for clients across wide range of industries on complex IP disputes.

Mayer Brown International LLP fields a team well vested in digital media copyright controversies with expertise extending to infringement, fair use defenses, licensing and putative class action cases. The firm represents tech industry titans such as Google, Spotify and YouTube. Headed by Paul Fakler in New York, seasoned litigator, who is renowned for his recent defense of Pandora. Jacob Ebin , adept at representing a range of clients before the Department of Justice, advises on copyright issues for new media and traditional media companies. Allison M. Aviki is lauded for her well-rounded litigation experience, handling everything from pre-filing investigations to appeals and settlement negotiations. All named lawyers are based in the New York Office.

At Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, the group’s multi-faceted capabilities encompass a wide variety of IP matters from litigation, licensing, prosecution and counselling. The team leverages its knowledge and experience of the intricacies of US copyright procedures to advise household names in tech, media and automotive on the safeguarding of their copyright portfolios. The team is headed by Meaghan Kent in Washington DC and Joshua Dalton in Boston, who boast deep experience as IP litigators and counselors. In San Francisco Carla Oakley offers expertise in IP and advertising matters, advising on a broad spectrum of matters from inception and global protection. Lindsey Shinn is a key figure in the San Francisco office, offering particular expertise in software matters and Cassie Sciortino offers standout media and tech copyright expertise. In October 2024 Ahren Hsu-Hoffman and Sujohn Das were promoted to partner.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP copyright department utilizes the deep bench strength of its nationwide practice to focus on emerging issues within tech, media and telecom industries. Harnessing notable expertise in new tech, the firm handles cases across the US and internationally. The team is headed in Boston by Sheryl Koval Garko and Los Angeles-based Alyssa Caridis . Seasoned trial lawyer Annette Hurst, based in San Francisco, boasts deep expertise in the software industry as a risk analyst, regarding the legal issues surrounding access and use of datasets. Boston-based David Hosp focuses on trademark, copyright and media litigation, representing high-profile media and tech companies in copyright matters. In Silicon Valley, Robert Uriarte is well vested in supporting companies ranging from market leaders to startups on security and internet law issues. Nathan Shaffer, based in San Francisco is a key port of call for tech firms needing representation in federal court.

With particular capabilities in music copyright infringement, Proskauer Rose LLP represents high-profile clients in complex infringement litigation. The team’s expertise extends beyond traditional literary property, film and music to sports, entertainment and tech. In Los Angeles, Sandra Crawshaw-Sparks leads the firm, drawing on extensive entertainment industry litigation experience to represent industry titans in music. In New York, Craig Whitney, a seasoned litigator, excels in complex IP disputes across industries such as media, tech, pharma and finance. David Munkittrick joined the firm in 2024, and strengthens the New York team as an experienced litigator and trial lawyer, specializing in entertainment-related copyright disputes.

Winston & Strawn LLP represents clients in the entertainment space on a range of high-value infringement litigation cases enabling safe public access to entertainment, information and business offerings. The team is widely recognised for their litigation and counselling experience related to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The team is headed in New York by Michael Elkin , a seasoned trial lawyer, who specializes in digital media intellectual property disputes involving the streaming of motion picture, television and music properties. Co-chair Jennifer Golinveaux , based in San Francisco, has notable experience in litigating a wide variety of IP cases in federal courts. In Los Angeles Diana Leiden brings expertise in representing tech and media companies, placing particular focus on emerging technologies and internet-related issues. Sean Anderson, based in New York, represents technology and media companies in IP disputes, holding niche expertise in video game legal solutions.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton leverages the bench strength of its nationwide practice, having recently opened an office in Bay Area, in supporting tech clients in high-stakes IP disputes. Angela Dunning leads the team in Bay Area, drawing on trial experience in federal appellate courts and before the US Court of Appeals to represent blue-chips in tech such as Meta Platforms, MidJourney, AliExpress and Google in copyright disputes.

Katten’s intellectual property group leverages the firm’s multi-jurisdictional experience to provide comprehensive IP counsel to global brands in media, entertainment, tech and fashion. The team is headed in New York by chair Deepro Mukerjee, an expert in handling high-profile IP cases and Karen Artz Ash , who has notable expertise in the fashion industry. Contributing to the teams' nationwide abilities, Floyd Mandell has great experience in IP litigation and Zia Modabber, lauded for her extensive experience within the music industry, leads the team in Los Angeles. Kristin Achterhof , in Chicago, is well-vested in representing leading tech, consumer, entertainment and fashion-industry clients. In LA, David Halberstadter and Joel Weiner, boast deep experience in advising and representing leading entertainment companies on a wide spectrum of litigation issues.