Lewis Silkin has appointed Olivia O’Kane as a partner to lead its specialist media law practice in both Belfast and Dublin.
Olivia has over two decades of experience specialising in media
disputes related to a wide range of complex media areas - including
defamation, technology related disputes, broadcast and newspaper
disputes and pre broadcast clearance - and of advising on a variety
of commercial and regulatory disputes including those related to
IP.
She has played a pivotal role in landmark High Court and Court of
Appeal rulings, and is known for her unwavering commitment to
defending freedom of expression in the public interest, protecting
journalistic sources and advocating for the independence of the
media.
Ranked Band 1 by Chambers and Partners in defamation and reputation
management and ranked in media and entertainment law, Olivia is
Ireland’s appointed expert on anti-SLAPP law for the European
Commission.
Mathew Forde, partner at Lewis Silkin Belfast,
commented:
“Olivia is an experienced practitioner with a stellar
reputation in media law, particularly in the area of defamation and
reputation management. She brings depth and specialist expertise to
our IP & Media disputes resolution team in the island of
Ireland, further augmenting our ability to advise and act in a wide
range of complex media areas, including defamation, privacy,
investigative journalism, contempt, e-commerce and online
liability.”