Foley Hoag Establishes First Amendment Practice Group With Addition of Media Litigators Michael Grygiel and Kelly McNamee

Audio By Carbonatix

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 1, 2026--

Foley Hoag announced the launch of a First Amendment and Media practicegroup in conjunction with its addition of nationally recognized First Amendment litigators Michael Grygiel and Kelly McNamee, who join as partners. Grygiel and McNamee have built one of the most respected media law practices in the country. Grygiel will chair the practice group, and he, McNamee, and associate Christina Hernsdorf will all be based in New York.

“Protecting a free and independent press is more necessary than ever, and few do it as effectively as Michael, Kelly, and Christina,” said Hathaway Russell, Managing Partner of Foley Hoag. “We are proud to welcome this team, whose work in our new First Amendment practice group will build on Foley Hoag’s identity as a firm willing to advocate on major public policy matters.”

Grygiel and McNamee have practiced together for a decade, representing media organizations, entertainment companies, publishers, authors, and content creators in high-stakes First Amendment matters across the country. In addition to defending against defamation claims, invasion of privacy suits, and copyright and Lanham Act matters, they have an extensive record of affirmatively helping journalists and news organizations acquire information the public has a right to know through public access litigation, including FOIL cases. Among their notable cases, Grygiel and McNamee successfully defended five Gannett newspapers against defamation claims by Nicholas Sandmann arising from a widely covered incident on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and obtained dismissal of a lawsuit by controversial social media commentator Candace Owens against USA TODAY.

“Foley Hoag is a natural fit for us in every respect,” said Grygiel. “This is a firm that is meeting the moment today, and has consistently stood up for the First Amendment and civil rights when the stakes are highest. We look forward to growing a practice here that serves our clients’ immediate needs as well as the broader cause of a free press and open government.”

“We identify strongly with the values Foley Hoag expresses so clearly in everything it does,” said McNamee. “Those values are reflected in the culture of collaboration and excellence the firm has fostered as well as its record on civil liberties and constitutional issues.”

Grygiel is ranked in Chambers USA and has been recognized by Law360 as an MVP in Media & Entertainment. He holds an adjunct faculty appointment at Cornell University Law School and has chaired the New York State Bar Association’s Media Law Committee. In addition to his media practice, Grygiel represents several prominent professional athletes.

McNamee has earned recognition from Benchmark Litigation and The Legal 500, among other outlets. She was selected as a member of Law360 ’s Media & Entertainment Board, and speaks regularly on the topics of censorship, book bans, and government speech.

Hernsdorf, a graduate of Stanford Law School, has litigated free speech, civic participation, and government transparency issues in private practice and as a supervising attorney at the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic.

The launch of the First Amendment practice group reflects Foley Hoag’s longstanding engagement with matters related to civil liberties, government accountability, and access to justice. Last year, the firm was one of only 14 Am Law 200 law firms to sign the amicus brief opposing executive orders targeting peer law firms.

Among other current work, Foley Hoag is representing the National Trust for Historic Preservation in its effort to stop construction of a White House ballroom, and a coalition of cultural heritage and architectural organizations to require Congressional authorization for alterations to the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.

About Foley Hoag

Foley Hoag is an award-winning, mid-sized, international law firm that focuses on innovative industries and high-stakes litigation. The firm maintains offices in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Denver, and Paris. The diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of our lawyers and business services professionals contribute to the exceptional service we deliver to clients. For more information, visit www.foleyhoag.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260401650030/en/

CONTACT: Media Contact

Emily Freeman

Associate Director of Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

617.832.7125

KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: LEGAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

SOURCE: Foley Hoag

Copyright Business Wire 2026.

PUB: 04/01/2026 08:00 AM/DISC: 04/01/2026 08:00 AM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260401650030/en