Al-Amyn Sumar is a media litigator and former senior in-house newsroom lawyer who helps press organizations, journalists, publishers, digital media companies, and other content-driven businesses navigate disputes and high-stakes publishing decisions. He advises clients on defamation, privacy, newsgathering, public records, court access, copyright, artificial intelligence, and prepublication risk, and represents them in trial and appellate courts.
Before rejoining Ballard Spahr, Al-Amyn served as Senior Counsel at The New York Times, where he handled litigation and provided practical, deadline-sensitive advice to journalists and editors. He led successful anti-SLAPP motions and motions to dismiss in lawsuits that challenged The Times’s reporting. He represented The Times in trial and appellate courts, including arguing appeals in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the New York Appellate Division.
Representative Experience
Representative Matters
- Successfully briefed an application to unseal records related to the confinement and death of Jeffrey Epstein, including his purported suicide note. United States v. Tartaglione, 2026 WL 1243942 (S.D.N.Y. May 6, 2026).
- Briefed and argued a pending appeal on behalf of The Times and one of its journalists seeking unsealing of an arbitration award. Maheu v. Twitter, 25-1608 (2d Cir.).
- Led a successful effort on behalf of The Times and other news outlets to obtain greater access to exhibits and proceedings in high-profile antitrust trial.
Professional Highlights
Judicial Clerkships
Hon. Beverley McLachlin, Supreme Court of Canada, 2015-2016
Hon. J. Paul Oetken, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 2014-2015
Justices of the Court, Court of Appeal for Ontario, 2013-2014
Professional Activities
D.C. Bar Arts, Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law Community
Recognition & Accomplishments
First Amendment Coalition, Free Speech and Open Government Award, 2023
Speaking Engagements
Speaker, Fireside Chat, D.C. Bar Arts, Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law Community, February 24, 2026
Panelist, “Becoming a Media Lawyer: Fundamental Principles, Practical Applications, and Promising Careers,” American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law, September 30, 2025
Panelist, “FOIA Bootcamp,” Yale Law School Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic, March 5, 2025
Publications
“Ten Questions to a Media Lawyer,” MLRC MediaLawLetter, January 2026
“Federal Court Dismisses Tara Reade’s Privacy Suit Against New York Times,” MLRC MediaLawLetter, October 2022
“FOIA As It Is—and As It Could Be,” Yale Journal on Regulation, 2022
Credentials
Education
Harvard Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, 2013)
Articles Editor, Harvard Law Review
Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship
University of Cambridge, Queens' College (M.Phil. 2010)
University of Alberta (B.A., honors, 2008)
Languages
French (proficient)
Admissions
District of Columbia
New York
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York