TAB legal hotline saves stations time, money

 - Top firms help with wide range of issues

Whether you’re buying new gear for the studio, fielding a request for equal political airtime, or trying to get the skinny on a public information request, TAB’s legal hotline is member stations’ source for guidance on resolving routine questions that can often trip you up.

One of TAB’s most popular member services, the legal hotline saves stations time and money, reserving the really thorny and unusual situations for stations’ regular counsel.

TAB retains top legal counsel with extensive experience in federal regulatory matters, state tax issues and Texas media law to ensure stations get the right answer the first time.

Three different law firms alternate fielding questions regarding Texas media law, and this week marks the start of a four-month cycle for Joe Larsen with Sedgwick, LLP, a TAB Associate Member. The remaining firms include Haynes and Boone, LLP, and the Jackson Walker law firm.

Larsen, who serves as special counsel at the firm, has extensive experience in all aspects of media newsroom representation, including defending clients in defamation lawsuits, defending and handling of subpoenas, prior restraint matters and access to governmental and court proceedings and records. He also has a practice in general and commercial litigation and bankruptcy, and is experienced in insurance coverage disputes and insurance defense.

He is a well-respected and oft-quoted resource on issues involving Texas Open Government laws and has testified before Texas lawmakers on TAB’s behalf.  A board member of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, he was honored in 2010 with the group’s James Madison Award.                   

Tax, Federal Issues

Cindy Ohlenforst with the K&L Gates law firm has long served as TAB’s point-person on state sales and franchise tax law, providing guidance to TAB and member stations on existing law, as well as advising TAB on legislative initiatives on state tax matters.

Scott Flick with the Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman law firm in Washington, DC, is TAB’s go-to attorney on all issues involving the FCC and other federal agencies.

Legal Guides

TAB also publishes several legal guides, free to member stations, that provide in-depth explanations of current law on a wide range of subjects, including:

• Alcohol Advertising
• Gaming Advertising
• On-Air Content
• State Newsroom Law
• Political Broadcasting & Disclosure Forms
• Public File Management
• Specialty Advertising
• State Sales Tax
• Wage & Hour/Overtime