Michael Berry > Ballard Spahr LLP > Philadelphia, United States > Lawyer Profile

Ballard Spahr LLP Offices

Ballard Spahr LLP
1735 MARKET STREET, 51ST FLOOR
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103-7599
PENNSYLVANIA
United States
Visit website 1 215 665 8500 1 215 864 8999

Michael Berry

Michael Berry photo

Work Department

Litigation

Position

Partner

Career

For over 20 years, Michael Berry has represented news, entertainment, and other media clients in defamation and privacy suits, fought for the right of the press and public to access government and court records, defended reporters who are subpoenaed, and advised clients on newsgathering and other First Amendment matters. He is a trial lawyer who regularly defends media companies in federal and state courts throughout the country. For example, Michael has served as trial counsel for prominent newspapers and websites and succeeded in unsealing records in high-profile criminal prosecutions and high-stakes corporate litigation.

Admissions

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

New York

U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third, Ninth, and 10th Circuits

U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Pennsylvania

U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

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

Memberships

Media Law Resource Center Institute, Board of Directors

Media Law Resource Center, past Co-Chair, MediaLawLetter Committee

Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition, Founding Member, Board of Directors

Pennsylvania Bar Association, past Co-Chair, Bar-Press Committee

Education

University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D. 2000, with highest honors)
Editor-in-Chief, North Carolina Law Review

Duke University (M.P.P. 2000)

Emory University (B.A. 1994)
Phi Beta Kappa

Lawyer Rankings

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

With a strong focus on First Amendment litigation, Ballard Spahr LLP is able to handle many of the increasing number of defamation suits being filed in the United States. The team also has a formidable track record in cases related to government transparency and access to public records, exemplified by the firm’s representation of 16 news organizations seeking access to videos related to the Capitol Riot. In Washington DC, practice head Charles Tobin focuses his practice on media defense, an area that includes prepublication content review, Freedom of Information Act requests and subpoena advice. Libel specialist Leita Walker operates from Minneapolis, and recently submitted written comments to the Minnesota Supreme Court in support of a rule change that would increase the use of cameras in courts. Also in DC, seasoned litigator Jay Ward Brown is highly experienced in fair use copyright and defamation matters; the DC-based lawyer also specializes in obtaining clearance for documentary films and TV series. Philadelphia-based lawyer Michael Berry is also a key name in the team.

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