Alia L. Smith’s practice focuses on defending publishers and broadcasters against claims of defamation and other newsgathering torts, and representing them in litigation over access, the Freedom Of Information Act, subpoenas and copyrights. In addition, she provides counseling and prepublication advice to a number of the firm’s clients, from national publications, to regional broadcasters, to start-up websites. In addition, Alia speaks regularly on media law topics to journalists and students.
Alia previously was with the highly regarded First Amendment boutique law firm Levine Sullivan Koch & Schulz, which merged with Ballard Spahr in October 2017.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented a Better Business Bureau affiliate in defamation lawsuit brought by service provider. The Georgia Superior Court granted the BBB’s anti-SLAPP motion, emphasizing that the anti-SLAPP law “is meant to be a significant tool to root out non-meritorious cases aimed at speech at the outset.”
- Represented The E.W. Scripps Company in FOIL litigation against the NYPD, leading to the release of data about how the department compiles crime statistics and clearance rates. The resulting reporting by Scripps prompted the Mayor’s Office to change its public crime reporting system to be more accurate and transparent.
- Represents Berlitz Languages, Inc. in defamation litigation brought by former student and government official. The D.C. Superior Court granted Berlitz’s Anti-SLAPP motion pursuant to the common interest privilege.
Professional Highlights
Judicial Clerkship
Hon. David A. Ezra of the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
Professional Activities
ABA Forum on Communications Law
ABA Women in Communications Law Committee
District of Columbia Bar Association, Media Law Committee
New York City Bar Association, Communications and Media Law Committee, past Secretary
Recognition & Accomplishments
Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers, media & advertising, 2014-2017
Speaking Engagements
"Copyrights and Wrongs," National Press Club’s Journalism Institute, March 31, 2021
"The Basics of Defamation," New York Press Association, September 15, 2020
"Copyright Law," Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, September 8, 2020
"Breaking Silence and Holding Those in Power Accountable," The Daily Tar Heel 125th Anniversary Conference and Gala, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, February 24, 2018
Publications
“Where Can a Lawsuit Be Brought Against You for Information Posted to Your Web Site, Blog, or Social Media Page?” Internet Publishing: Perils and Practices, 2013
“Rule 24(b): Broadening the Use of Permissive Intervention to Challenge Confidentiality Orders,” 67 George Washington Law Review 852, 1999
Credentials
Education
George Washington University Law School (J.D. 2000, with high honors)
Senior Projects Editor, The George Washington Law Review
Senior Projects Editor, The George Washington Law Review
Order of the Coif
Moot Court Board
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A. Journalism 1996)
Admissions
New York
District of Columbia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of New York