Robert D. Balin

Partner

Robert Balin is a partner in the New York office of Davis Wright Tremaine, and for almost 40 years has represented U.S. and international news organizations, publishers and journalists in all aspects of media law and litigation. For the past 18 years, Rob has also taught media law to the next generation as an adjunct professor at Columbia University Law School. Rob has served as the chair of the Media Law Committee of the International Bar Association, the chair of the MLRC International Media Law Committee, and president of the Executive Committee of the MLRC Defense Counsel Section. Since 2011 Rob has been annually named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Media Law by Best Lawyers and one of "America's Leading Lawyers" in First Amendment Litigation by Chambers USA.

People v. Trump

Represents coalition of news organizations in obtaining access to criminal and civil proceedings in Manhattan District Attorney's prosecution and New York Attorney General's trial of former president Donald Trump. Secured right of journalists to photograph and attend arraignment and trial. (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cnty. Ongoing)

Ptacek v. New York Post

Defending the New York Post in a libel suit in which Maria Ptacek (the voice of "Dora the Explorer") challenges two New York Post articles that reported on legal proceedings in which it was alleged that Ptacek pressured a high school classmate into smoking a "vape" pen in the girl's bathroom of their posh private school in Manhattan. (Sup. Ct. Queens Cnty. Ongoing)

Copyright infringement claim by illustrator

Representing Springer Nature in connection with attempts to resolve a pre-litigation claim by a science illustrator relating to publication of 10 of her illustrations in a medical textbook. (Ongoing)

Carey v. Carey et al.

Successfully defended publisher and co-author of Mariah Carey's memoir, "The Meaning of Mariah Carey," in libel suit brought by Ms. Carey's older brother. Motion to dismiss and Anti-SLAPP motion granted by trial court and affirmed on appeal. (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2022; N.Y. App. Div. 2024)

Condayan v. Mathieu, et al.

Defending Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan Publishing Group) and author Jennifer Mathieu in suit where plaintiff Aimee Condayan alleges that Mathieu's young adult book "Moxie" infringes plaintiff's copyright in an unpublished manuscript entitled "A Zine Called Mike," and also asserts claims for theft of ideas and misappropriation. (S.D.N.Y. 2020)

Admitted to Practice

New York, 1987
New Jersey, 1985

Education

J.D., Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, 1984, magna cum laude
- Editor, Law Review
B.A., University of Vermont, 1981, cum laude
- Phi Beta Kappa

Memberships & Affiliations

- Adjunct Professor, Media Law, Columbia Law School
- Communications and Media Law Committee, International Bar Association
- Forum on Communications Law, American Bar Association
- Media Law Committee, New York City Bar Association
- Libel Letter Committee, Media Defense Resource Center

Professional Recognition

- Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in First Amendment Litigation (Nationwide), 2012-2024; Media & Entertainment: First Amendment Litigation (New York), 2017, 2019-2024
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Media Law, 2011-present
- Selected to "New York Super Lawyers" in Media and Advertising, Thomson Reuters, 2006-2009, 2011, 2013-2024
- National Press Photographers Association, Kenneth P. McLaughlin Award of Merit, 2014