Natalie A. Harris
Natalie Harris counsels and defends those who create, publish, and broadcast content.
EXPERIENCE
For nearly 20 years, Natalie Harris has counseled and defended clients including journalists, authors, artists, politicians, entrepreneurs, and executives from advertising agencies and well-known brands who create, publish, and broadcast content in all forms of media.
Natalie aggressively pursues the facts of each case to uncover and exploit critical evidence that gives her clients the best leverage and satisfying results. A seasoned litigator, she successfully defends publishers, broadcasters, newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and production companies in state and federal courts against various claims arising from creative, editorial, and commercial content. She has litigated numerous defamation cases throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, invoking the First Amendment and combatting efforts to silence protected speech through weaponized litigation. In addition to defamation defense, she has litigated right of publicity claims, invasion of privacy, and trademark and copyright infringement matters–including numerous wrangles with copyright trolls. Out of court, Natalie harnesses her love of television, film and investigative journalism, conducting prepublication review of all forms of creative, editorial and advertising content to mitigate legal risk for publishers and broadcasters.
When clients dream up new names, logos, or taglines for products, services, or special promotions, Natalie steps in to handle trademark clearance. She formulates trademark search requests and analyzes comprehensive trademark search reports to help clients choose well and avoid unnecessary risk. After helping clients select their brand identity, Natalie guides them through state and federal trademark registration process.
Clients running sweepstakes and contests rely on Natalie for sound, practical advice from concept to fulfillment. She drafts official rules, reviews creative collateral, and oversees legal compliance for execution and administration of a range of national multimedia promotions. She also advises clients implementing mobile marketing campaigns for SMS text, email, and social media platforms to ensure legal compliance.
Natalie spent several years studying Japanese and living and working in Japan. She began her legal career representing Japanese corporate clients in an array of commercial and employment disputes in state and federal courts.
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
- 2024 Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Women in Law Honoree
- American Bar Association Forum On Communications Law – Governing Committee
- Media Law Resource Center (MLRC)
- Legal Network for Gender Equity
- Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) Alumni Association
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Speaking:
- Area of Influence: Risks and Rewards of the Emerging Social Media Marketplace (moderator), Media and Law the Law Seminar, University of Kansas (2021)
- Media and the Law Seminar- University of Kansas (2019)
- Hot Topics in Advertising and Promotions Law, ABA Forum on Communications Law—Annual Law Conference (2016-2022)
- MLRC/NAA/NAB Media Law Conference, Boutique Session Chair for Pre-Publication/Pre-Broadcast (2014)
Publishing:
- Illinois Court Avoids Mockery, Dismisses Defamation Claim Based on “F*ckery”, MLRC Media Law Letter (August 2020)
- Illinois Appellate Court Slaps Down Suit Over Truthful Campaign Flyers, MLRC Media Law Letter (July 2020)
- Anonymous Campaign Flyer Publishers Slap County Board Candidates With The Truth, MLRC Media Law Letter (August 2019)
- No Jackpot for Illinois Governor Candidate’s Claim Over Ballot Lottery Story, MLRC Law Letter (April 2019)
- Ex-Firefighter’s Defamation Claim Extinguished, MLRC Media Law Letter (July 2015), “Wisconsin Court of Appeals Snuffs Out Firefighter’s Defamation Suit,” MLRC Law Letter (December 2016)
- Update: Illinois Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Professor’s Libel and Privacy Claims, MLRC Media Law Letter (April 2015)
- Libel and Privacy Claims Over News Coverage of Sexual Harassment Complaint Dismissed, MLRC Media Law Letter (July 2014)
- Newspaper Wins Records Battle For Emails Seized in John Doe Investigation, MLRC Media Law Letter (May 2014)
- Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Not Flip About the Bird, Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) IP Newsletter (Fall 2013 Vol. 53 No.1).
- Bomb Bystander’s False Light Fizzles, MLRC Media Law Letter (May 25, 2013)
- Battle Of The Privileges in Illinois Supreme Court Justice’s Defamation Suit Against Newspaper, MLRC Media Law Letter (October 31, 2005)
- Illinois Court Rejects Absolute Privilege for Intracorporate Communications, MLRC Media Law Letter (February 28, 2005)