Elizabeth A. McNamara

Elizabeth A. McNamara is a New York media, intellectual property, and internet law attorney who handles complex litigation for content, publishing, entertainment, and technology clients. She focuses on high-profile disputes involving First Amendment issues, defamation, prior restraint, commercial and editorial conflicts, and developing intellectual property concerns. Her work helps media and technology companies protect content, manage legal risk, and respond to challenging litigation involving speech, publication, and creative rights.

Elizabeth earned her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1981, where she was Order of the Coif and served on the Law Review. She received her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin in 1975 and was Phi Beta Kappa. Her academic background supports her careful legal analysis, strong writing, and ability to address complex constitutional, media, and intellectual property issues.

Elizabeth has extensive trial and appellate litigation experience in courts across the country. She has represented major media, publishing, entertainment, and technology organizations in important matters involving defamation, prior restraint, copyright, content challenges, and the relationship between commercial disputes and editorial or entertainment work. Her clients have included national news organizations, book publishers, entertainment companies, digital platforms, and other businesses facing sensitive legal issues tied to speech and content.

Elizabeth A. McNamara is widely recognized for her work in First Amendment, media, entertainment, copyright, and intellectual property litigation. Her professional affiliations include communications, entertainment, copyright, and publishing organizations, and she has held leadership roles in media law groups. Through her litigation experience, industry knowledge, and practical judgment, she helps clients protect their rights, defend important content, and navigate disputes involving media, technology, and creative expression.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
• Former Chair, New York City Bar Association, Communications & Media Law Committee
• Former East Coast Representative, Forum on Communications Law
• Member, The Copyright Society of the USA
• Member, Association of American Publishers, Lawyers Committee

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• University of North Carolina School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Wisconsin
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges