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Robert D. Balin

Partner

T 212.603.6440 New York
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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 prelitigation 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where plaintiff Aimee Condayan alleges that Mathieu's young adult book "Moxie" infringes plaintiff's copyright in an unpublished manuscript entitled "A Zine Called Mike," and also asserts claims for theft of ideas and misappropriation.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)
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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
    • Named as one of "500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers" by Lawdragon, 2025
    • 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
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10.10.24
Presentations
Moderator, "The Access Toolkit: In Press Access Advocacy, One Size Does Not Fit All," DOWNLOAD/NY Digital Tech Conference
Publications
06.10.24
News
New Chambers Rankings Affirm Davis Wright Tremaine's National Leadership in Key Industry Sectors Read More
Publications
09.05.23
News
Press Photographers Achieve Historic Settlement With New York City Police Department Read More
Publications
08.17.23
News
2024 Edition of Best Lawyers Recognizes More Than 175 Davis Wright Tremaine Attorneys for Excellence Read More
Publications
06.05.23
News
Chambers USA Recognizes Davis Wright Tremaine for Leadership Across Key Industry Sectors and Honors the Firm for Excellence in 51 Practices Read More
Publications
October 2022
Publications
Media & Entertainment
Co-author, "New York Court Upholds First Amendment Right of Access to Jury Selection in Upcoming Trump Trial," Media Law Resource Center Read More External Link
Publications
06.07.22
News
Chambers USA Recognizes Davis Wright Tremaine for Excellence in Key Practice Areas and Industry-Leading Success With DEI Read More
Publications
08.05.21
News
Leading International News Photographers File Civil Rights Action Against New York City Police Department Read More
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05.26.21
Insights
Digital Media
Dead Celebrities and Digital Doppelgangers: New York Expands Its Right-of-Publicity Statute and Tackles Sexually Explicit Deepfakes Read More
Publications
05.21.21
News
Davis Wright Tremaine Recognized by Chambers USA for Industry-Leading Excellence in Key Practice Areas Read More
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12.04.20
Advisories
Media & Entertainment
Dead Celebrities and Digital Doppelgangers: New York Expands Its Right of Publicity Statute and Tackles Sexually Explicit Deepfakes Read More
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10.28.20
Insights
Defamation
Libel-Proof Poster Child: Lenny Dykstra Strikes Out in Suit Against Former Mets Teammate and Book Publishers Read More
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