Legal Services > Litigation > Media Law Litigation & Advice

Media Law Litigation & Advice

We represent broadcasters, newspapers, publishers and individual authors on media law issues. We have successfully litigated cases involving defamation and news gathering, as well as access to public records. Tonkon Torp lawyers have represented newspapers around the state, including The Oregonian, the Portland Business Journal, the East Oregonian Publishing Company, Eagle Newspapers and Lee Enterprises. We frequently advise on media law issues, including providing pre-publication and pre-broadcast review.

We also advise on and litigate issues regarding:

The applicability of media shield laws
Reporters' privileges
Prior restraints on publication
Responses to demands for retraction or correction
Cameras in courtrooms
Invasion of privacy
News gathering methods
Licensing
Copyright
Public records laws
Public meetings laws

Attorneys

Owen Blank

Partner

503.802.2011
owen.blank@tonkon.com

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Steven Wilker

Partner

503.802.2040
steven.wilker@tonkon.com

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Zachary Wright

Partner

503.802.2041
zach.wright@tonkon.com

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Miller v. KOIN-TV

Successfully defended KOIN-TV against claims that political advertising aired by the station was false and misleading in Marion County Circuit Court.

ACLU V City of Eugene, et al

Obtained favorable ruling in 2016 from the Oregon Supreme Court that strengthens the public’s right to records. The decision compelled the City of Eugene to turn over records to the ACLU of Oregon that relate to an incident in 2008 in which a Eugene police officer twice "tased" a prone protestor. Tonkon Torp attorneys worked with the ACLU on the case from 2009 to its conclusion, moving the case through the Lane County District Attorney’s office, the Lane County Circuit Court, and the Oregon Court of Appeals before achieving victory at the Oregon Supreme Court.

Stacy v. KOIN-TV

Successfully defended KOIN-TV against defamation and related claims in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

Card v. Pipes

Successfully obtained dismissal in federal district court of defamation and related claims arising from publication of an op-ed column in the New York Post and online. Matter subsequently settled on appeal.

8.20.2020

Best Lawyers in America® Includes 49 Tonkon Torp Attorneys on 2021 List

Forty-nine Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021. A majority of attorneys have been named to the peer-review list in past years, and most have been recognized for more…