Jon specializes in the representation of media and technology companies on a broad range of commercial, transactional, operational, content, privacy, and litigation matters; he has been representing businesses that gather and distribute news and information, sell advertising, market goods and services, and build community on the Internet for as long as there has been a commercial Internet. His clients include dozens of websites, newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, technology and telecommunications companies, and leading online professional and trade associations.
Jon was on the faculty of the Stanford Professional Publishing Courses from 1994 through 2008 and has taught in the Yale Publishing Course since 2010. He is general counsel to the Online News Association, and writes and speaks frequently on media and technology law. Jon is a contributor to the International Libel & Privacy Handbook (Bloomberg 2006). The sixth edition of his book, Internet Law: A Field Guide, was released by BNA Books in November 2008.
Before entering private practice, Jon clerked for United States Circuit Judge Jerome Farris and United States District Judge Almeric Christian. He is a graduate of Middlebury College and Stanford Law School.
Memberships and Activities
Law Clerk - Chief Judge Almeric L. Christian, U.S. District Court for the Virgin Islands, 1983-1985
Law Clerk - Circuit Judge Jerome Farris, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1985-1986
Faculty - Stanford Professional Publishing Courses, 1994-2008
Co-Chair - Media Law Resource Center New Legal Developments Committee (2009-present)
Governing Committee - ABA Forum Committee on Communications Law (2000-2003)
Advisory Board - BNA Electronic Commerce and Law Reporter (2002-present)
Advisory Board - BNA Media Law Reporter (1993-present)
Presentations
Presenter and Program Director, Online News Association 2012 Law School for Digital Journalists, San Francisco, CA (September 2012)
“Legal Challenges in Multi-Platform Publishing,” Book Publishing, Yale Publishing Course (July 25, 2012)
“Legal Challenges in Multi-Platform Publishing,” Magazine and Digital Publishing, Yale Publishing Course (July 18, 2012)
“Internet Law – A Primer for Digital Journalists,” Online News Association Digital Journalists Training (April 13, 2012)
“Mini-Law School for Digital Journalists,” Online News Association Annual Conference (September 23, 2011)
“Copyright Law,” Law School for Digital Journalists. Presented by the Online News Association in Partnership with the Citizen Media Law Project at Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society and the UNC Center for Media Law and Policy, Harvard Law School (September 22, 2011)
“Plenary Panel,” Law School for Digital Journalists. Presented by the Online News Association in Partnership with the Citizen Media Law Project at Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society and the UNC Center for Media Law and Policy, Harvard Law School (September 22, 2011)
“Covering the Courts: What Every Journalist Needs to Know,” The Reynolds National Center for Courts and Media, the Conference of Court Public Information Officers and the National Judicial College (August 10, 2011)
“Legal Issues in Multi-Platform Publishing,” Book Publishing: Print and Digital, Yale Publishing Course (July 28, 2011)
“Legal Challenges in Multi-Platform Publishing,” Magazine Publishing: Print and Digital, Yale Publishing Course (July 12, 2011)
"Freedom of 'press' and freedom of 'speech' in the digital universe," International Journalism Festival (April 17, 2011)
"What Digital Journalists Need to Know About Internet Law,” Online News Association Parachute Training (January 21-22, 2011)
“Law & Order: Special Digital Unit,” Online News Association Annual Conference (October 29, 2010)
“Legal Challenges in Multi-Platform Publishing,” Yale Publishing Course (July 21, 2010)
“Media Law in the Digital Age: Practical Tips for Avoiding Legal Liability and Using the Law to Improve Your Work,” the National Association of Hispanic Journalists annual conference (June 24, 2010)
“Banners, Beacons, and Behavioral Targeting: Internet Advertising Technology and Business Models,” Stanford University/Media Law Resource Center joint conference on Legal Frontiers in Digital Media (May 6, 2010)
“Representing Your Local Broadcaster — The Scramble for Content and Delivery: It’s ‘Up in the Air,’” hosted by the American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law, the National Association of Broadcasters and the Federal Communications Bar Association (April 11, 2010)
“Journalism’s Digital Transition: Unique Legal Challenges and Opportunities,” Online Media Legal Network, The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School (April 9, 2010)
“Internet Law With a Social Networking Twist,” Inland Press Association Webinar (December 15, 2009)
”U.S. Media Law: A Primer,” Delegation of Chinese Broadcasters, Henan Province (December 8, 2009)
Online Publishers Association Legal and Legislative Day (November 3, 2009)
“Web Law: A Primer,” National Association of Science Writers (October 17, 2009)
“Legal Panel,” Online News Association Annual Conference (October 1-3, 2009)
“Wireless Networks for Digital Media,” Legal Frontiers in Digital Media Conference hosted by Media Law Resource Center, Stanford Law School Center for Internet and Society and Stanford Publishing Courses (May 14-15, 2009)
“Web Law: A Primer,” The Inland Press Association (April 22, 2009)
“Bridging the Digital Divide: Examining the Emerging Law of Cyberspace,” American University Washington College of Law (April 6, 2009)
"Legal Aspects of Publishing Online," Inland Press Association Webinar (December 2, 2008)
"Internet Law: 5 Things You Should Know to Stay Out of Legal Trouble," and "Doing Deals: Why Contracts Shouldn't Be Left to the Lawyers," Stanford's "Publishing on the Web" Program (November 17-18, 2008)
"Covering Your Assets," Online News Association Annual Conference (September 13, 2008)
"Web Law: A Primer," Stanford Professional Publishing Course (July 17, 2008)
"Behind the Browser: What You Need To Know About Current and Emerging Internet Technologies," Legal Frontiers in Digital Media Conference hosted by the Stanford Center for Internet and Society, the Stanford Professional Publishing Courses, and the Media Law Resource Center (May 15, 2008)
"Web Law: A Primer," Key Executives Conference of the Inland Press Association (February 25, 2008)