John M. Browning
Counsel
Jack Browning advocates for journalists, authors and content creators across a wide range of media law, First Amendment, and intellectual property issues. He has represented clients in lawsuits involving defamation, copyright infringement, SLAPP, invasion of privacy, reporters' shield laws, right of publicity, trademark infringement, and false advertising. Jack has argued in state and federal court – including emergency prior restraint and reporter access matters – and has significant experience before federal and state courts of appeal.
Through his extensive work in news rooms and television studios and with publishers of all stripes, Jack has developed a deep understanding of the news, book publishing and television industries. He uses this knowledge to solve problems and handle risk. He has counseled and provided pre-publication review services for a diverse array of media clients including The New York Post, "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," "VICE," "The Outline," "The Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj," The Sun (UK), The Guardian, The Times (UK), The Times Literary Supplement, WNYC, The Tablet, A&E, "Live PD," The New York Daily News, In Touch, Chalkbeat, The CITY, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Octopus, Vox, Hachette ITV and Comedy Central. Jack has handled pre-publication legal review for non-fiction books and investigative journalism about controversial topics. Jack was also honored to serve as legal counsel for the first season of the reality television show "Love Island (USA)."
Practice Highlights
Transatlantic media law counseling
Routinely advises U.S. publishers on English media law and counsels U.K. publishers on issues arising under American law. In 2016, he was seconded to London, where he worked for The Times, The Guardian, and The Sun. Jack draws on this experience and his English upbringing to provide effective counsel for publishers working on both sides of the Atlantic.
Access and public litigation
Frequently advocates for journalists who have been denied access to sealed judicial and government documents. Because news is a perishable commodity, he understands the urgency of these matters and has successfully argued access matters in state and federal courts.
Pre-broadcast review for television
Through his work with "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," "The Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj," "Live PD," "VICE News Tonight" and others, Jack has developed extensive experience counseling television clients. Jack takes a problem-solving approach to his prepublication work and advises on a wide range of issues, including copyright fair use, defamation, and invasion of privacy.
Admitted to Practice
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New York, 2014
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U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2014
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2014
Education
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J.D., Columbia Law School, 2013
- Editor-in-Chief, Columbia Journal of Law and the Arts
- Research Assistant to Jane Ginsburg, Tim Wu and Suzanne Goldberg
- Art Law Extern and Teaching Assistant, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
- Michael D. Remer Memorial Award for Aptitude in Arts and Copyright Law, 2013
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B.A., Classics and English, Oxford University, 2009
- Double First Class Honors
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Secretary, Media & Communications Committee, New York City Bar Association, 2014-present
- Editor, ABA Communications Forum Diversity Moot Court Competition, 2014-present
- Associate Board Member, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, 2014-present
Professional Recognition
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- Named "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers in Entertainment and Sports Law, 2024-2025
- Selected to "New York Rising Stars" in Intellectual Property, Thomson Reuters, 2021-2024
Background
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- Associate, Proskauer Rose LLP, New York, N.Y., 2013-2015
- Legal Intern, Marvel Entertainment, New York, N.Y., 2013
- Legal Consultant and Adjunct Scholar, Lapham's Quarterly Magazine, New York N.Y., 2011-2013
- Summer Associate, Proskauer Rose LLP, New York, N.Y., 2012
- Legal and Business Affairs Intern, AMC Networks, New York, N.Y., 2011