Right to Know & Media Law Practice Group

Media Law

For over 40 years, the attorneys of Nauman Smith have been assisting print and broadcast media with a variety of publishing and legal issues. The recognition that prompt, knowledgeable action and effective results are necessary in the deadline driven world facing our media clients is at the core of our representation. Our attorneys represent journalists, broadcasters and publishers in all phases of media law including Right to Know access(see below), Sunshine Act and other government and court access issues involving local, county and state agencies. We have successfully represented media clients in both state and federal court in matters involving the attempt to force reporters to testify on matters protected by Constitutional and state law privileges. Nauman Smith has also successfully defended media clients in defamation and privacy actions. The firm's attorneys have presented seminars on media topics for Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, the Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors and the firm is a member of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association. Craig J. Staudenmaier, Chair of the Practice Group, is the current Co-chair of Bar/Press Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Right to Know Law

The complexities of the new Pennsylvania Right to Know Law impact on virtually every government agency and every corporate, media and private entity seeking access to government information in Pennsylvania today. Governments operating at every level in the Commonwealth - boroughs, townships, municipal authorities, counties, and similar agencies, as well as other publicly- funded entities, like schools, community colleges, and universities now face compliance and regulatory issues arising out of the new law. The highly skilled attorneys at Nauman, Smith, Shissler & Hall, LLP are prepared to assist you regardless of the issue or concern. The attorneys at Nauman Smith bring an experienced and unique balance to RTK issues as the firm has some of the top attorneys in the Commonwealth practicing in this new and developing area. In addition to lawyers representing media, business and private citizen interests, the practice group also has several attorneys who are experienced municipal solicitors and have dealt with and analyzed issues under the new RTK law from the agency perspective. This balance and insight allow Nauman Smith to offer its clients a full perspective on these difficult and emerging issues and an expertise on how best to approach these issues regardless of the clients' particular interests. Members of the practice group write for publications and speak regularly at seminars sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and the Pennsylvania Boroughs Association.

Practicing Attorneys:

J. Stephen Feinour Corporate, borough zoning, land use, real estate development and related access issues:
J. Stephen Feinour
717.236.3010

Craig J. Staudenmaier Media, journalism, litigation, appellate advocacy and related RTK and access issues:
Craig J. Staudenmaier
717.236.3010

Joshua D. Bonn Joshua D. Bonn
717.236.3010

Also, read:

Nauman Smith Shissler & Hall, LLP
200 North 3rd Street, 18th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717.236.3010
fax: 717.234.1925
info@nssh.com