News

Illinois Rock & Roll Museum presents Copyrights & Trademarks for Artists and Musicians with Peter Strand

Mr. Strand is a partner at the entertainment, media, and intellectual property law firm Mandell Menkes LLC in Chicago. He represents content creators and providers including authors, songwriters and composers, recording artists, musicians, television and film writers, independent record labels, music publishers, independent film producers and documentarians, and production companies in various transactional and litigation • Read More »





Mandell Menkes Successfully Challenges Subpoenas to News Outlets in Drew Peterson Case

Steve Mandell successfully argued in Will County Circuit Court that Judge David Carlson should quash subpoenas issued by lawyers for convicted wife-killer, Drew Peterson, to cable news channel, NewsNation, and WGN TV. Peterson’s lawyer issued subpoenas to both media outlets seeking “outtakes” of the interviews that NewNation’s Ashleigh Banfield and WGN investigative reporter, Ben Bradley, • Read More »


Mandell Menkes petitioned to intervene in the case on behalf of WBEZ Chicago, the Sun-Times, and the Chicago Tribune following a ruling made in the “ComEd 4” Trial

Following a ruling made in the trial against the “ComEd 4” that the court would not allow the media to have access to audio recordings admitted as evidence of corruption by Michael Madigan, Steve Mandell and Brian Saucier petitioned to intervene in the case on behalf of WBEZ Chicago, the Sun-Times, and the Chicago Tribune. • Read More »


Mandell Menkes, on behalf of WBEZ Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times successfully argued several pleadings in a lawsuit were improperly filed under seal

Steve Mandell and Brian Saucier, on behalf of WBEZ Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times, successfully argued in Cook County Circuit Court that several pleadings in a lawsuit filed by investors of the Maple & Ash restaurant group were improperly filed under seal. The unsealed documents outlined the investors’ claim that the restaurant group misappropriated funds • Read More »


Congratulations to Steven Mandell Ranked Band 1 for Media and Entertainment Litigation by Chambers and Partners

Provided by Chambers Founding partner Steven Mandell has a wealth of experience in the media and entertainment industry, which includes representing clients in IP and First Amendment disputes. Strengths “Steve is very good at negotiation.” “He is a knowledgeable and skilled litigator. He understands the legal and operational challenges of newsrooms and is well versed in media legal issues. • Read More »


Bryan Lesser Joins Mandell Menkes

The firm is delighted to announce that Bryan Lesser has joined Mandell Menkes as an associate. He graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 2018 and has worked in Chicago since 2019, with a brief stint at the Office of the State Appellate Defender.  



Steven Mandell and Brian Saucier argued on behalf of WBEZ that the sealed divorce court file of State Sen. Michael Hastings should be opened “to allow for appropriate public review and scrutiny.”

Steven Mandell and Brian Saucier argued that the court file should be opened “to allow for appropriate public review and scrutiny.” They noted that Hastings said he wanted to protect his family’s privacy, even as his reelection campaign issued an ad featuring a photo of the senator with his children, describing him as a “single • Read More »





Northern District of Illinois denied the plaintiff’s motion to amend her complaint in a defamation action against Hubbard Radio Chicago, LLC

“A judge with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois denied the plaintiff’s motion to amend her complaint in a defamation action against Hubbard Radio Chicago, LLC. Attorneys with Mandell Menkes represented the defendant Hubbard in the action.” Click link to read more  McGurren v. Hubbard Radio Chicago, LLC, 2022 U.S. • Read More »



Peter J. Strand organized and moderated a CLE session entitled Music Producers and Production Agreements for Lawyers, presented by Wisconsin Entertainment Lawyers Association

On May 17, 2022, Peter J. Strand organized and moderated a CLE session entitled Music Producers and Production Agreements for Lawyers, presented by Wisconsin Entertainment Lawyers Association. The session featured Mandell Menkes, LLC partner Hillel Frankel and special guest world-renowned music/record producer Butch Vig (Nirvana Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters). The discussion centered around • Read More »


Libel suit against ‘The Mix’ tossed

The radio station known as “The Mix” did not defame former morning co-host Melissa McGurren in an executive’s email saying it did not agree with her “characterization” of the events that led her to accuse the station of tolerating sexual harassment, a federal judge held. Read More




The Risk Retention Reporter spoke with Daniel V. O’Leary, Jr.

Purchasing groups were authorized by Congress along with risk retention groups under the 1986 Liability Risk Retention Act. Unlike risk retention groups, purchasing groups are not insurance companies. Instead, the purchasing group vehicle allows members with a similar risk profile to purchase liability coverage on a group basis. The purchasing group also makes it easier • Read More »


Steve Mandell moderates conversation with Sacha Baron Cohen attorney

Last month, Steve Mandell moderated a conversation with the attorney defending comedian Sacha Baron Cohen in a suit brought by the former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Roy Moore, and his wife. Mr. Moore alleged that Mr. Cohen, through his show Who Is America?, tricked him into believing that he was accepting an • Read More »


Steve Mandell appeared before the Illinois Appellate Court

On September 14, 2021, Steve Mandell appeared before the Illinois Appellate Court for the First District to argue for the Appellees in Joseph Fox v. Crain Communications, Inc. Michael Arndt and Lynne Marek, pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Steve, along with Mandell Menkes attorney, Brian Saucier, had successfully represented  Crain (the publisher • Read More »


Steve Mandell Moderates Panel on Litigating Strategies During COVID Pandemic

On October 29, 2020, Steve Mandell moderated a virtual panel discussion entitled  “Covid Courtroom:  Practical tips for litigating and trying cases during a pandemic.” The panel featured experts from around the country who have confronted the challenges of litigating during the COVID 19 crisis including Johanna Carrane, Esq., President, JuryScope; Dana J. McElroy, Partner, Thomas & • Read More »


Bruce Menkes Argues Before Seventh Circuit

Bruce Menkes presented oral argument before the Seventh Circuit in Sterling National Bank v. Block, et al. (Nos. 19-2300, 19-3122, 19-3235). Mandell Menkes had previously prevailed on summary judgment in the Northern District of Illinois, where the district court held that Mandell Menkes’ clients were not obligated to indemnify Sterling National Bank for $2 million, • Read More »


Mandell Menkes Knocks Out Class Action Usury Claim on Summary Judgment

On June 22, 2020, Judge Jorge Alonso of the Northern District of Illinois granted summary judgment to Mandell Menkes’ client on plaintiff’s claim for violations of the Illinois Consumer Installment Loan Act and the Illinois Interest Act. Mandell Menkes argued that plaintiff’s claims were barred by the time-price doctrine, and while the court found that • Read More »


Local Restauranteur Voluntarily Dismisses Complaint Against Mandell Menkes’ Client Crain Communications, Inc.

Mandell Menkes represented Crain Communications, Inc., the publisher of Crain’s Chicago Business, in a defamation claim brought by local restauranteur, Philip Tadros based on an article in Crain’s Chicago Business that Mr. Tadros alleged was false and portrayed him in a negative light. In the face of multiple motions highlighting Mr. Tadros’ shortcomings in the • Read More »




Mandell Menkes Prevails in Jury Trial in Defamation Suit Brought by Northwestern University Professor

Mandell Menkes won a complete victory in the Northern District of Illinois for its client, a forensic accountant accused of defamation and conspiracy to commit defamation, by a Northwestern University professor. After a week-long trial, the jury ruled in favor of Mandell Menkes’ client on both counts. District court judge Matthew Kennelly subsequently denied plaintiff’s • Read More »







Mandell Menkes Defends Anonymous Speech in McHenry County, IL Political Battle

McHenry County Recorder Joseph Tirio, who is running for McHenry County Clerk, has filed an Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 244 Petition seeking the identity of the individual(s) responsible for publishing the content on three campaign flyers  circulated in the months leading up to the Republican primary in the spring of 2018.





University of Chicago Graham School Event

Steve Baron will be presenting at the University of Chicago Graham School on Legal Issues for Editors, Authors, and Freelancers at The Gleacher Center. Thursday, January 25, 2018 at 06:00pm READ MORE.


Judge Grants Motion To Quash High Profile Murder Defendant’s Subpoena To Reporter

Mandell Menkes appeared on behalf of the Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press for ruling on Chicago reporter Jamie Kalven’s motion to quash a subpoena issued by former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke’s lawyers in pending first degree murder proceedings. Kalven’s Slate Magazine story “Sixteen Shots” (http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/02/laquan_mcdonald_shooting_a_recently_obtained_autopsy_report_on_the_dead.html) revealed a police cover-up surrounding the • Read More »




Spotlight on Ghostwriting

On Friday, November 17, Steve Baron will be speaking about author-ghostwriter contracts at the “Spotlight on Ghostwriting” conference sponsored by the American Society of Journalists and Authors https://asja.org/For-Writers/ASJA-Conferences-and-Events/ASJA-Chicago-2017



Steve Mandell Addresses Delegates at London Media Conference

The Media Law Resource Center (MLRC) London Conference is a biennial conference featuring distinguished speakers from government, the judiciary and the press. Media defense lawyers from around the world attend the MLRC London Conference to discuss the latest developments in libel, privacy, newsgathering and media IP laws.  Mandell Menkes’ Steve Mandell is pictured below addressing the • Read More »


George Desh Joins Mandell Menkes

The firm is delighted to announce that George Desh has joined Mandell Menkes as an associate. George previously practiced at Kirkland & Ellis. He is an experienced litigator with an engineering background, and he has successfully represented clients in broad range of cases including mass torts, patents, data security, environmental litigation, and idea misappropriation, among • Read More »






Steve Mandell quoted in Chicago Tribune article highlighting courtroom secrecy in first degree murder case against police officer accused of killing Laquan McDonald

Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke is charged with murdering 17 year old Laquan McDonald in October 2014. The Chicago Police Department’s disclosure of Van Dyke’s dashboard camera video of the incident drew significant public attention to the case and eventually prompted the recent United States Department of Justice inquiry into McDonald’s death and Chicago • Read More »


Wisconsin Court Of Appeals Affirms Dismissal Of Ex-Firefighter’s Defamation Complaint Against Megyn Kelly’s Fox News Segment

Mandell Menkes won an appeal in Wisconsin affirming dismissal of former Milwaukee firefighter Aaron Marjala’s defamation claim against Fox News, host Megyn Kelly and guest panelist Lee Armstrong arising from a Kelly’s Court segment debating Marjala’s decision to collect disability benefits while he was fit enough to compete as an Ironman triathlete. View the Kelly’s • Read More »



Mandell Menkes Client Wins Seventh Circuit Decision on Access to Grand Jury Records

In a victory for access to court records, firm client Elliot Carlson, an award-winning naval historian, recently prevailed in the Seventh Circuit in a lawsuit seeking grand jury transcripts. Mr. Carlson, who was joined by a consortium of scholarly organizations, sought the long-sealed transcripts from a 1942 grand jury investigation of the Chicago Tribune’s alleged • Read More »


Mandell Menkes Celebrates First Annual Women’s Networking Event

Mandell Menkes lawyers Rebecca Edwards, Natalie Harris, Anne Jordan, Cristina Salvato and Danielle Twait hosted a relaxing evening of good food, drinks, conversation and connections for professional women at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Chicago.  Guests enjoyed beautiful views of the city and Lake Michigan on one of the first lovely spring nights of the year. • Read More »


Mandell Menkes Successfully Represents a Coalition of Media Organizations in Opposing A Request for a Gag Order

Mandell Menkes recently represented a coalition of television companies, newspaper companies, and media industry organizations contesting a proposed gag order in a Wisconsin criminal matter. The State of Wisconsin sought a gag order prohibiting the parties and counsel from making statements to the media that would have the likelihood of materially prejudicing the criminal proceedings. The media • Read More »


Mandell Menkes Lawyers Coordinate 2016 ABA Journal Media, Privacy, Defamation and Advertising Law Update

Mandell Menkes lawyers Steven Mandell and Steven Baron served as the editors for the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TTIPS) Law Journal Winter 2016 article featuring recent developments in the field of media, privacy and advertising law.  Lawyers Brendan Healey and Natalie Harris co-authored the advertising law section featuring content on • Read More »


Court Dismisses Defamation Claim Arising From TV News Report On Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Candidates’ Campaign

Mandell Menkes won dismissal of a defamation, invasion of privacy and emotional distress complaint that Frank Gardner filed against the Fox 32 Chicago television station and it’s investigative reporter, Dane Placko.  Gardner is a  former attorney and Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.  Gardner’s wife and son both ran as candidates for seats on • Read More »


Mandell Menkes Wins Appeal Affirming Verdict In Favor Of Television Station For Report About Investigation Into Allegations Of Child Porn On Teacher’s Computer

In November 2014, Mandell Menkes won a directed verdict on behalf of its clients – a local television station and a news reporter – in a jury trial in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Ohio.  The plaintiff in the case, a former high school art/photography teacher, alleged he was damaged by a news broadcast reporting on an • Read More »





Defamation Complaint Filed By Ironman Collecting Duty Disability Benefits Dismissed

Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge Jeffrey Conen granted Mandell Menkes’  motion to dismiss a defamation claim filed by ex-firefighter and Ironman triathlete Aaron Marjala against Fox News and the “Kelly’s Court” segment host and panelist.  The Court found that statements in the segment—which criticized Marjala’s decision to collect publicly funded benefits despite suffering only a • Read More »



Steve Mandell speaks on recent developments in copyright law

Steve Mandell was a Panelist at the Professional Risk Symposium held in Atlanta, Georgia on April 28, 2015. The panel addressed recent developments in copyright law and, in particular, developments in the law of “fair use.” The presentation was entitled “Fair Use and the Spotlight” and addressed, among other things, the demand for a license fee • Read More »


Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Recuses Himself From Defamation Case

Mandell Menkes filed a motion to dismiss the defamation claim filed by former North Shore firefighter Aaron Marjala against Fox News and the “Kelly’s Court” segment host and panelist.  In its motion Mandell Menkes argues that statements in the segment, which described Marjala’s participation in marathons and an Ironman triathlon while collecting taxpayer funded duty • Read More »


Mandell Menkes Wins Defamation Jury Trial On Behalf of Media

Mandell Menkes recently achieved a directed verdict on behalf of its clients – a local television station and a news reporter – in a jury trial in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Ohio.  The plaintiff in the case, a former high school art/photography teacher, alleged that our clients defamed him and placed him in a false light • Read More »





Mandell Menkes helps Milwaukee Journal Sentinel force turnover of records from secret government investigation

Mandell Menkes lawyers represented the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in successfully intervening in a Wisconsin John Doe proceeding and compelling the return of secret emails and other records collected during the John Doe investigation involving members of Governor Scott Walker’s staff when he was the Milwaukee County Executive. For more information see:   Click here for link to • Read More »


Mandell Menkes Defeats Bomb Bystanders’ Claims

Mandell Menkes successfully defended Discovery Communications, LLC’s Investigation Discovery Network in connection with a lawsuit arising from the “Wicked Attraction” docudrama series.



Who Formed and Insured Purchasing Groups in 2012?

Analyzing the 35 purchasing groups that were licensed in 2012, the RRR found that 27 different companies formed PCs last year and those groups were insured by 39 insurers. Read More >>


Mandell Menkes Partner Steve Mandell Interviewed by CNN Radio

Steve Mandell was interviewed by CNN’s Nova Safo for the article “British React to Hacking Report”, Steve helps explain the difference between lible law in the U.S. and England. Click “read more” to go to the full article and soundbytes. Read More>>



Lawyers With Style

Rebecca Edwards is featured in a Chicago Lawyer Magazine article “Lawyers With Style”, click on the link to read the entire article. Read More >>