For over 20 years, Michael Berry has represented news, entertainment, and other media clients in defamation and privacy suits, fought for the right of the press and public to access government and court records, defended reporters who are subpoenaed, and advised clients on newsgathering and other First Amendment matters. He is a trial lawyer who regularly defends media companies in federal and state courts throughout the country. For example, Michael has served as trial counsel for prominent newspapers and websites and succeeded in unsealing records in high-profile criminal prosecutions and high-stakes corporate litigation.
In light of his accomplishments, The Best Lawyers in America named Michael its First Amendment Law Lawyer of the Year in Philadelphia for 2018, 2020, and 2023, its Media Lawyer of the Year in Philadelphia for 2019, and most recently its 2022 Lawyer of the Year in Philadelphia for First Amendment Litigation. In 2020, The Legal Intelligencer named him as a "Power Player," which recognizes attorneys who through their advocacy made a significant impact on public policy, legislation, or jurisprudence in Pennsylvania.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Successfully defended a major streaming service against wiretap and replevin claims arising from “hot mic” audio captured during the production of a documentary series. The court denied the plaintiff’s request for a temporary restraining order to prevent use of the audio and granted summary judgment to the streaming service on all claims. The decisions set significant precedents governing when a source’s statements to reporters are “off the record” and the reasonableness of a source’s expectation of privacy in off-camera conversations with journalists.
- Successfully represented The Associated Press in unsealing numerous records in the criminal cases against the former Penn State administrators prosecuted in the wake of the Sandusky scandal in Commonwealth v. Curley, 189 A.3d 467 (Pa. Super. 2018)
- Successfully represented Dow Jones & Company, Inc. in obtaining access to records that had been filed under seal in an investor lawsuit against the controversial blood-testing company, Theranos, Inc. in Partner Investments, L.P. v. Theranos, Inc., 2017 WL 2303954 (Del. Ch. 2017)
Professional Highlights
Judicial Clerkships
Hon. David B. Sentelle, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Professional Activities
Media Law Resource Center Institute, Board of Directors
Media Law Resource Center, past Co-Chair, MediaLawLetter Committee
Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition, Founding Member, Board of Directors
Pennsylvania Bar Association, past Co-Chair, Bar-Press Committee
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America, First Amendment Law, First Amendment Litigation, Media Law, 2014-2023; "Lawyer of the Year," First Amendment Law (Philadelphia), 2018, 2020, 2023; Media Law (Philadelphia), 2019; and First Amendment Litigation, 2022
Named as a "Power Player" by The Legal Intelligencer in its 2020 Pennsylvania Legal Awards
Named as a Lawyer on the Fast Track by The Legal Intelligencer and Pennsylvania Law Weekly in their 40 Under 40 rankings, 2009
Speaking Engagements
Moderator, "To See or Not To See: Balancing the Public’s Right to Access Court Records with a Party’s Request for Confidentiality After Avandia," Federal Bench-Bar Conference, Philadelphia Bar Association, November 3, 2021
Moderator, “Remote Court Proceedings & Public Access: Lessons Learned During the Pandemic,” Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, Continuing Judicial and Legal Education Program, October 5, 2021
Speaker, “The Public’s Right To Access,” Pennsylvania State Conference of Trial Judges, Continuing Judicial Education Program, March 18, 2021
Invited testifier, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Judiciary Committee Public Hearing, Pennsylvania Anti-SLAPP Law
Moderator, "Trial Tales: Lessons Learned from Recent High-Profile Defamation Trials," Media Law Resource Center Media Law Conference, October 1, 2020
Publications
"Pa.’s new press freedom lawyer will shine more sunlight on government," The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 21, 2020
Lead author, Pennsylvania Chapter, Reporters Privilege Compendium (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press)
Lead author, Pennsylvania Chapter, Open Courts Compendium (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press)
Related Insights
Credentials
Education
University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D. 2000, with highest honors)
Editor-in-Chief, North Carolina Law Review
Duke University (M.P.P. 2000)
Emory University (B.A. 1994)Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York
U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third, Ninth, and 10th Circuits
U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York