Charles Tobin > Ballard Spahr LLP > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Ballard Spahr LLP Offices

Ballard Spahr LLP
1909 K STREET, NW
12th FLOOR
WASHINGTON DC 20006-1157
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
United States
Visit website 1 202 661 2200 1 202 661 2299

Charles Tobin

Charles Tobin photo
202.661.2218 tobinc@ballardspahr.com

Work Department

Litigation

Position

Partner and Practice Leader of Media and Entertainment Law Group

Career

Charles D. Tobin is a litigator, former journalist, and the Practice Leader of Ballard Spahr’s Media and Entertainment Law Group. He defends the media in libel and privacy lawsuits in state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout the country. He conducts prepublication content review and advises clients on subpoenas, access and privilege issues, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, copyright matters, and First Amendment rights.

Chuck also represents businesses in matters involving unfair competition, disparagement, and false advertising. He helps digital media clients respond to takedown requests, develop terms of use and privacy policies, and fend off subpoenas seeking the identities of anonymous posters. In addition, he advises media clients on the developing laws regulating drone use.

Admissions

District of Columbia

Florida

Virginia

U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

U.S. Court of Federal Claims

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

U.S. Supreme Court

Memberships

Member, National Press Club Journalism Institute Board of Directors

Past Chair, American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law

American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Senior Editor, Litigation Journal

Past Chair, District of Columbia Bar Association Media Law Committee

Past Chair, Florida Bar Media and Communications Law Committee

Past President, Media Law Resource Center, Defense Counsel Section

Advisory Board, Indiana University Center for Media Law and Policy

Advisory Board, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications

Education

University of Florida (J.D., with honors); University of Florida (B.S., Journalism, with high honors)

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: litigation

The ‘street-smart‘ team of Ballard Spahr LLP consists of specialists in defamation law, who conduct prepublication content previews, handle access to public record matters, and advise on subpoenas and policies. From Washington DC, Charles Tobin leads the practice and in addition to the firm’s core practice represents clients in unfair competition, disparagement, and false advertising. In Minneapolis, Leita Walker defends against claims of libel, privacy, and right of publicity. The firm elevated Kaitlin Gurney, a specialist in matters of access to public records and prepublication issues, to partner in July 2021. Michael Sullivan has retired from the practice and Steven Zansberg has departed.

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