Michael J. Lambert

Michael J. Lambert is an Austin intellectual property attorney who focuses on media, entertainment, First Amendment, and intellectual property litigation. He represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts and counsels on defamation, privacy, access, copyright, and newsgathering matters. He also advises media organizations on pre-publication concerns and advocates for legal reforms supporting press freedoms, combining litigation experience with practical knowledge of journalism and digital media for clients.

Michael earned his J.D. from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 2015 and his B.A. in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University Manship School of Mass Communication in 2012. He later clerked for Judge Steven M. Wellner of the District of Columbia Superior Court. His journalism education, legal training, and judicial experience support careful analysis of speech, press, copyright, internet, and media law disputes in complex matters.

Michael has represented media clients in defamation, public records, copyright, and First Amendment matters, including litigation involving national broadcasters and publishers. Before entering his current practice, he advised magazines on libel, newsgathering, copyright, and pre-publication review and contributed to litigation for NBCUniversal News Group. He also served as a legal fellow with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, drafting appellate amicus briefs in significant press freedom cases nationwide.

Michael J. Lambert has been recognized by Chambers USA for First Amendment Litigation, Texas Super Lawyers as a Rising Star, and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for entertainment, communications, and intellectual property litigation. He serves in leadership roles with the American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law and regularly writes and speaks on media law, internet law, anti-SLAPP issues, copyright, and First Amendment developments affecting journalists and media organizations nationwide.

Law Office Affiliations

• Associate, Haynes and Boone, LLP
• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
• Member, District of Columbia Association
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Governing Board Member, Co-Chair, American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law, Diversity Committee (2016-2022)
• Member, LGBT Bar Association

Licensed State

• Texas
• Louisiana
• District of Columbia
• New York
• Massachusetts

Education

• Louisiana State University Paul M Hebert Law Center
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Louisiana State University Manship School of Mass Communication
  BA in Mass Communication

Awards & Badges