Since our earliest days, Tonkon Torp’s client roster has included leaders in the sport, media, and entertainment fields.
Media Law Litigation & Advice
We represent broadcasters, newspapers, publishers, and individual authors on media law issues. We have successfully litigated cases involving defamation and news gathering, as well as access to public records. Tonkon Torp lawyers have represented newspapers around the state, including The Oregonian, the Portland Business Journal, the East Oregonian Publishing Company, Eagle Newspapers, and Lee Enterprises.
We frequently advise on media law issues, including providing pre-publication and pre-broadcast review.
We also advise on and litigate issues regarding:
- The applicability of media shield laws
- Reporters’ privileges
- Prior restraints on publication
- Responses to demands for retraction or correction
- Cameras in courtrooms
- Invasion of privacy
- News gathering methods
- Licensing
- Copyright
- Public records laws
- Public meetings laws
Sports & Entertainment
We represent household names in the sporting sector and luminaries in the entertainment area, including arenas, teams, and agents. Our media clients include television, radio and publishing companies, and we’re particularly skilled at the constitutional issues these clients face.
Clients in this sector trade on intangibles in many cases, and we are able to identify the risks and challenges that intangible assets hold, helping protect their brand, reputation, and bottom line. Similarly, copyright and trademark protection is of paramount importance to our sports, media, and entertainment clients.
Our services in the sports, media, and entertainment industries include:
- Event and team sponsorship and athlete endorsement agreements
- General business counsel
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Corporate finance and governance
- Libel and slander litigation
- First Amendment litigation
- Intellectual property protection and licensing agreements
- Immigration issues for performers, athletes, and employees
- Executive compensation and employee benefits
- Labor and employment matters
- Real estate, land use, and environmental issues
- Tax and wealth planning
Services + Industries
Department
Bar Admission
Schools
Languages
Representative Matters
Miller v. KOIN-TV
Successfully defended KOIN-TV against claims that political advertising aired by the station was false and misleading in Marion County Circuit Court.
Nike Sale to Kohlberg & Co.
Represented Nike, Inc. in connection with the sale of NIKE Bauer Hockey, Inc. to Kohlberg & Co. for $200 million.
Nike Sale to Iconix Brand Group
Represented Nike, Inc. in connection with the sale of Official Starter brand assets to Iconix Brand Group for $60 million.
Nike Acquisition of Starter
Represented Nike, Inc. in connection with the acquisition of Starter for $43 million.
NFL Endorsement
Obtained a preliminary injunction in federal district court enforcing a client’s right of first refusal in its endorsement contract with an NFL quarterback.
Services + Industries
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We encourage you to contact us if you have further questions about our firm or our experience. For your protection, we cannot represent you until we know that doing so will not create a conflict of interest. Accordingly, please do not send us any confidential or secret information about any matter that may involve you until you receive a written statement from us that we represent you (an engagement letter).
If after browsing this web site you are unsure which lawyer you should contact, please call us at 503.221.1440.