Lathrop & Gage media law attorneys actively represents media outlets including advertising agencies, newspapers, television and radio stations, magazines and cable television operators.

We have extensive experience defending claims of defamation and invasion of privacy and have assisted reporters on scores of occasions in obtaining access to meetings and records under the Missouri Sunshine Law, the Kansas Open Meetings Act, the Kansas Open Records Act, and the federal Freedom of Information Act, as well as access to judicial records and proceedings under federal and state constitutional principles. We have successfully quashed numerous subpoenas based on the reporter's privilege. Our media law practice includes many court appearances on behalf of reporters and the media, and the trial and appeal of lawsuits based upon state Sunshine Laws.

The depth of expertise in our media law department is critical in the area of pre-publication review and in those instances when reporters are in the field and denied access to meetings or court proceedings. Our lawyers are prepared to act immediately in those situations when the luxury of time simply does not exist, and immediate decisions or judgments have to be made. Our lawyers not only defend libel/defamation claims; we frequently negotiate with potential defamation plaintiffs and uncooperative public officials to avoid libel and access litigation.

We also provide counsel to our clients in the areas of advertising and political advertising, game shows and contests, copyright and trademark infringement, publishing and broadcasting contracts and related issues. Our attorneys have chaired or co-chaired the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association Media Law Committee and the Missouri Bar Media Law Committee, and have been active in the Libel Defense Resource Center and the American Bar Association First Amendment and Media Litigation Committee.