One of our favorite people, Darrell Phillips, former television reporter par excellence and now attorney at the law firm of Pietrangelo Cook, has kicked off a new blog called NewsroomLegal.com
The new blog is billed as “thoughts and updates on developments at the crossroads of journalism and the law.”
Based on our knowledge of Mr. Phillips, we expect the blog to be informative and instructive. His unique experience certainly prepares him for it.
He reported for various news organizations around the country for ten years prior to seeking his law degree. In his current practice, he frequently advises and represents members of the media in employment disputes and in litigation relating to speech rights. He also frequently advises corporate clients on media relations matters. He graduated from Brandeis University with honors and earned an M.S. in journalism from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism shortly thereafter. He attended the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, where he was awarded the Dean’s Award for Excellence (Best Oral Advocate) and the CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Trial Advocacy and ADR/Mediation. He received both the Claude T. Coffman and Herbert Herff memorial scholarships and served as research assistant to the Dean. He also served as a member of the Senior Staff of the University of Memphis Law Review.
Mr. Phillips says that the purpose of the blog is to address “the issues that are common to many of my current clients and, obviously, to many of my current and former friends in the media.” “It does not offer legal advice, nor will it offer opinion or criticism,” he said. “To the contrary, it is intended as an ‘educational’ resource, a source for information about salient newsroom legal issues like recent FCC developments, contract enforcement trends (non-competes, liquidated damages, etc.), wage and hour issues, and interesting statutory developments like those that ostensibly protect online publishers from the snarkiness of their third-party commenters. It will not criticize particular broadcast or publishing groups or specific employees, but is designed to use recent legal developments to address broader issues. While it will often refer back to Tennessee law, I will also endeavor to make reference to relevant legal standards around the country, as we often advise and represent clients in negotiating matters with non-regional entities.
