Isabella Salomão Nascimento is a senior associate in the firm’s Media & Entertainment Law practice group. Her First Amendment-based litigation practice includes defending against libel/defamation, invasion of privacy, right of publicity, and other speech-related claims across the country; representing news organizations and nonprofits in seeking access to court records; prepublication vetting of both news and entertainment content; advising and defending clients on subpoenas, prior restraint, and privilege issues; and providing guidance on state public records laws. Isabella is currently licensed to practice in both Minnesota and New York, and has been admitted to practice in several federal district and appellate courts across the country.
Prior to joining the firm, Isabella worked as a staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, where she litigated constitutional law and other civil rights cases, several of which were class actions and involved issues of First Amendment, government transparency and accountability, and public access to data.
Professional Highlights
Judicial Clerkships
Hon. Wilhelmina Wright, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 2019
Hon. Catharine Easterly, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 2018-2019
Professional Activities
New York State Bar Association
Adjunct Professor, University of Minnesota Law School’s Civil Rights/Civil Liberties Moot Court course, 2021-2022
Recognition & Accomplishments
Minnesota Lawyer, Attorney of the Year, 2023
Minnesota Lawyer, Up & Coming Attorney, 2023
North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2023
Speaking Engagements
Panelist, "Becoming a Media Lawyer: Fundamental Principles, Practical Applications, and Promising Careers," American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law, September 30, 2025
Panelist, "Navigating DEI as a Media Lawyer: Insights into the 2024 Landscape and Practical Strategies," American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law, August 6, 2024
"Bringing the Civil Rights Case for Freedom of the Press," Ballard Spahr Webinar, June 6, 2024
Credentials
Education
University of Chicago Law School (J.D., with honors, 2018)
President, Defenders Student Organization
Vice-President, Latinx Law Student Association
Chicago Journal of International Law
Pro Bono Service Initiative Award of Excellence
The Edwin F. Mandel Clinical Education Award
The James C. Hormel Public Service Award
University of Minnesota (B.A., with honors, 2014)
Languages
Fluent in Portuguese
Proficient in Spanish
Admissions
Minnesota
New York
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit