Samantha Lachman

Associate

Sam Lachman is a member of DWT's media and entertainment group where she advocates for and counsels content creators on matters related to copyright, trademark, right of publicity, defamation, and the First Amendment. Sam also maintains an active pro bono practice focused on government transparency, including representing a nonprofit newsroom in litigation under the Freedom of Information Act.

Prior to joining DWT, Sam served as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. Susan P. Graber of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and the Hon. James V. Selna of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. She worked as a politics reporter for HuffPost before attending law school.

Counseling

Pre-broadcast counseling

Provides pre-broadcast and clearance counseling for films, television series, documentaries, and podcasts. Representative projects include "Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna," "Blitz," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," "Queer for Fear," "Horror's Greatest," "High Science," "Unrestorable," "Red, White, & Royal Blue," "Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss," and "Love, Lizzo."

Intellectual property counseling

Provides fair-use opinions, risk assessments, and other IP advice to content creators, distributors, and technology companies, including Apple, Amazon Studios, Story Syndicate, Left/Right, Words + Pictures.

"Inspired by actual events" counseling

Provides counseling for films and television series that are based on or inspired by real people or events. These projects include "Say Nothing" and "Clipped."

Litigation

OneTaste v. Netflix

Obtained complete dismissal of high-profile defamation case over documentary "Orgasm Inc.," which explored the controversial "sexual wellness" organization OneTaste, whose leaders were indicted for alleged forced labor conspiracy after the film's release. Court granted our anti-SLAPP motion and awarded full attorney fees in six-figure range.

Changing World Films v. Parker

Defending writers, producers, and distributor of film "American Skin" in copyright infringement action. Bifurcated the case into an initial phase focused solely on access and then prevailed on a motion for summary judgment based on a lack of access as a matter of law.

Francesca Gregorini v. Apple Inc. et al.

Defended copyright-infringement lawsuit against Apple, Blinding Edge, M. Night Shyamalan, and others relating to the television series "Servant." After two-week trial, obtained unanimous jury verdict in favor of all eleven defendants. (C.D. Cal. Ongoing)

Dihno v. Netflix

Obtained complete dismissal of case involving television series "Buying Beverly Hills." Court sustained demurrer without leave to amend.

Ryan v. County of Imperial et al.

Counsel for local newspaper in a Section 1983 and conspiracy action involving a newspaper article. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit affirmed dismissal.

Admitted to Practice

California, 2020
U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 2021
U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 2021
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 2023

Education

J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law, 2019
- Order of the Coif
- Notes Editor, California Law Review
B.A., Political Science, Duke University, 2013
- Alice M. Baldwin Scholar
- President, Duke Debate

Memberships & Affiliations

- LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

Professional Recognition

Finalist, Julie Orr Heart of Justice Pro Bono Award, 2023

Background

- Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Susan P. Graber, U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, Portland, Ore., 2020-2021
- Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. James V. Selna, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Santa Ana, Calif., 2019-2020
- Summer Associate, O'Melveny & Myers, San Francisco, 2018
- Judicial Extern, Hon. Jacqueline Scott Corley, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, San Francisco, 2017
- Reporter, HuffPost, Washington, D.C., 2013-2016

06.03.24

Webinars

"Honoring Pride Month: A Discussion with Darren Walker," DEI Education Series, Davis Wright Tremaine Webinar Read More