Margaret Strouse is an associate in the firm's Litigation Department, focusing her practice within the Media and Entertainment Law practice group. Margaret's practice focuses on First Amendment issues by defending media clients against defamation claims, prepublication review of news for legal risk, and pursuing access to public records at the state and federal levels. She has extensive experience in Freedom of Information Act and open records litigation. Margaret also advises media clients on enforcing copyrights of online news articles and responding to copyright infringement claims. She has also worked with the Intellectual Property Litigation group copyright and trademark cases.
As a former Ballard Spahr legal intern, Margaret researched Maryland executive and legislative privileges under the Maryland Freedom of Information Act and reviewed First Amendment right of access cases for a multi-state survey. Margaret also has experience representing clients before the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board and drafting fair use Error and Omissions letters for documentary films.
Professional Highlights
Pro Bono Experience
Margaret has an active pro bono practice and has recently worked with the ACLU to bring a FOIA action against the United States Marshalls service seeking the release of documents related to the continuation of private prison contracts following President Biden’s executive order banning such contracts. She has also represented the Brennan Center for Justice and Data for Black Lives in bringing a DC FOIA lawsuit seeking Metropolitan Police Department documents regarding social media monitoring of citizens.
She has also worked on numerous Time’s Up cases, including representing a woman who was sued for defamation by her former acting coach after she publicized her opinion that his acting classes were not beneficial. Margaret also works with Time’s Up clients on media training to lower their risk of defamation suits.
Margaret also provides pro bono prepublication advice and newsroom trainings for smaller media organizations.
Professional Activities
American Bar Association, Forum on Communications Law
Board Memberships & Community Service
Mentor, D.C. Family and Youth Initiative, 2019-present
Credentials
Education
American University Washington College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2020)
American University Law Review
Wake Forest University (B.A., cum laude, 2017)
Admissions
District of Columbia
Maryland
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia