Biography Charles L. "Chip" Babcock has a national trial and appellate practice and has handled many significant cases, including his representation of Oprah Winfrey and her company, Harpo, in litigation across the United States. He successfully defended The Chicago Tribune in the Circuit Court of Cook County Illinois and defeated an effort to remove from office the presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
Mr. Babcock was born in Brooklyn, New York, raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, and graduated from Brown University, where he was a four-year member of the rowing team (crew) and the sports director for the University radio station, WBRU-FM. His college broadcast partner, Eric Nadel, went on to become the play-by-play voice of the Texas Rangers. For a time after college, Mr. Babcock stayed in the sports business as a writer and columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, but he left journalism to attend Boston University School of Law, where he was a member of the law review and served as its Executive Editor. He was drawn to Texas by two federal judges, Robert Porter and Robert Hill, both of whom asked for an interview and decided to offer him a job. "They told me that they had flipped a coin," Mr. Babcock recalled, "but they never told me who lost."
Mr. Babcock spent the next two years with Judge Porter in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas before joining Jackson Walker, where he has defended such disparate matters as an ERISA case in Rhode Island, a defamation suit against Dr. Phil in Los Angeles, a shareholder derivative action in Fort Worth and a patent case in Chicago. He has represented Fortune 500 clients on a regular basis, both as Plaintiffs and Defendants, and has tried over 100 cases to a jury.
In the appellate courts, Mr. Babcock argued an important case under the speech and debate clause in the Ninth Circuit. He established the First Amendment right of journalists to protect confidential sources in a Fifth Circuit case. In the First Circuit, he successfully defended an appeal for Oprah in a copyright/misappropriation case, and in the Texas Supreme Court, he argued an important defamation case for media defendants.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Mr. Babcock is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is a member of the American Law Institute and a Fellow of the Texas Philosophical Society. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the American Bar Association Communications Forum as Membership Chair.
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
In 2010, Mr. Babcock was selected as one of Texas Lawyer's "25 Greatest Texas Lawyers of the Past Quarter-Century," an honor given to Texas attorneys who have made outstanding contributions within the 25 years that Texas Lawyer has been published. Mr. Babcock is ranked as a top First Amendment attorney, a top Commercial Litigation attorney and a top Trial Lawyer in the prestigious Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business directory. Sources quoted in the guide called him "as good as it gets for handling defamation and First Amendment work," and a "very active, very skilled trial lawyer" [Chambers USA 2011]. Mr. Babcock is also recognized in The Best Lawyers in America in the Bet-the-Company, Commercial Litigation, and First Amendment Law categories. He has been a "Super Lawyer" every year since Thomson Reuters instituted the award (2003-2009) and has also been listed by D magazine as one of the "Best Lawyers in Dallas," by H Texas magazine as one of the "Top Lawyers in Houston," and by Texas Lawyer as one of Texas' "Go To" lawyers. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is included in the Commercial Litigation chapter of Who's Who Legal: Texas. He was named as a "Best in Civil Litigation Defense" attorney by Super Lawyers: Corporate Counsel Edition.
PRESS COVERAGE
Mr. Babcock has frequently been profiled by the press and in 2007, the New Republic reported that he had attained the status of a "moderately famous First Amendment attorney." (Credit: The New Republic.) In a recent Texas Monthly article profiling him as a "Super Lawyer," one of his clients commented, "Chip was tremendously effective, not only in court but in helping me prepare for court."
In 2009, Mr. Babcock represented the Presiding Judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in trial after her removal from office was sought by the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct. The trial judge ruled in favor of the judge.
In 2008, Mr. Babcock tried a closely watched case where Clara Harris (the woman who ran over her husband with her Mercedes) sued her former criminal defense counsel, George Parnham. After the jury found for Mr. Parnham, a blogger following the case wrote, "I believe [the jury] found Parnham's counsel, the affable Chip Babcock, appealing. Babcock was charming, smiled readily and play(ed) ably – to the jury." Texas Lawyer published a lengthy article about one of Mr. Babcock's trials (an unusual non-jury trial before a three-judge panel of justices) and wrote about his opening statement, "When Babcock rose to speak, he told the court he would take more time than opposing counsel. His presentation was lengthy but effective, incorporating a PowerPoint presentation replete with timelines, discovery excerpts, and salient video clips. Babcock didn't just tell the justices what he intended to prove, he used his time and PowerPoint presentation to prove his case. At the end of the opening statement, [Justice] Fitzgerald asked Babcock if the court could have a copy of the PowerPoint presentation for its later use."
In 2007, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business noted Mr. Babcock was a "first-rate trial lawyer who can try any commercial case." Of Counsel: The Legal Practice and Management Report wrote in its April 2006 edition that "In case after victorious case, Babcock has served clients with his vast knowledge of the law, soaring courtroom litigation style, keen insight, close attention to detail, and all with guy-next-door-humility."
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
Mr. Babcock has frequently been called upon by state and federal judges to advise them on matters affecting the judiciary and the practice of law. For example, he has been a member of the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee for over 15 years, the last 10 as its Chair. The Advisory Committee studies and reports to the court on proposed rules and issues affecting litigation practice in the state courts. Some of the topics the Committee has studied are rules regulating parental notification of minors seeking an abortion, Internet access to judicial records, standards for recusal of judges, an offer of settlement rule, citation of unpublished opinions, rules for complex cases (asbestos), and amendments to the rules of evidence and appellate procedure among many others.
Mr. Babcock was appointed by the court to chair a committee charged with rewriting the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct and chaired a separate committee which considered the effect of the United States Supreme Court decision in Republican Party of Minnesota v. White dealing with judicial speech. In 2001, he was asked to serve on a blue ribbon committee of ten lawyers who were asked to consider major proposals for tort and litigation reform. In 1991, the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas asked him to serve on a committee charged with analyzing the efficiency of the federal courts in north Texas.
PRO BONO AWARDS
In 1988, Mr. Babcock received the Meritorious Pro Bono Service Award. In 1986, he received the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award.
CATASTROPHIC LITIGATION
Mr. Babcock, drawing on his lifelong work as a journalist and with the media, has advised clients on how to respond to catastrophic litigation when the external communication about the legal problem must be coordinated with, and may be as important as, the litigation strategy. He has frequently written and spoken about this issue, including in his article titled "What to do When the Media Calls."
Attorney Profile: Chip Babcock — Committed to clients
More about Charles L. Babcock: Experience | Speeches / Publications | News
Representative Matters
- IF Management v. Vince Cotroneo. 2010
In this New York arbitration proceeding a sports management company sued Vince Cotroneo, the radio broadcaster for the Oakland Athletics, claiming that the management company was entitled to an income stream even after its contract with Cotroneo was terminated. The claim was denied by the arbitrator after a trial.
- Albritton v. Cisco Systems, Inc. 2009 (U.S. District Court – E.D. Tex. at Tyler)
Defamation action brought by attorney regarding statements made in a blog. The case was settled prior to closing argument.
- In Re Keller 2009 (District Court for Bexar County)
The case involved the effort of the Texas Judicial Conduct Commission to remove the presiding judge of the Texas County Criminal Appeals from office. The trial judge ruled that the judge should not be sanctioned in any way.
- 54 Broadcasting v. LIN Television of Texas 2009 (U.S. District Court – W.D. Tex. at Austin)
This case involved the assignment of an option to purchase stock in a company which owns the FCC broadcast license for Austin TV station KNVA. The jury found that the assignment by Mr. Babcock's client, LIN, was proper.
- Clara Harris v. George Parnham 2008 (Texas State Court Harris County)
Mr. Babcock represented the defendant regarding Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act claims brought by former client and presented a counterclaim for suit on a promissory note, and attorney fees. The case was tried in state court, Harris County, Texas. There was a jury verdict in favor of Parnham, Mr. Babcock's client, unanimously finding (i) that Parnham complied with his fiduciary duty to Ms. Harris; (ii) that Parnham did not engage in any false, misleading, or deceptive act or practice that Ms. Harris relied on to her detriment, and that was a producing cause of damages to Ms. Harris with regard to the Promissory Note and Security Agreement; (iii) that Ms. Harris was not fraudulently induced into executing the Promissory Note and Security Agreement; (iv) that Ms. Harris owes Parnham $70,250.00 on the Promissory Note; and (v) by a vote of 11-1, that Ms. Harris owes $398,443.19 in attorneys' fees incurred by Parnham. The case was resolved after judgment.
- William Stephens, et al. v. Wayne Dolcefino, et al. 2007 (Texas State Court Harris County)
2007 Wiretap Claim against a television station and its reporters in Harris County, Texas. The jury found for Mr. Babcock's clients, the defendants.
- Ericsson Inc. v. Marketshare Telecom L.L.C. 2006 (Texas State Court Collin County)
Breach of Contract Claim and Counterclaim for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty tried in state district court for Collin County, Texas. Mr. Babcock represented Ericsson, which was awarded a $1,600,000 jury verdict (100% of claimed damages) and also prevailed before the jury on a $20,000,000 counterclaim asserted by the Defendant.
- In Re: Honorable Nathan Hecht Justice, Texas Supreme Court 2006 (Texas State Court Tarrant County)
Case tried before a three-judge panel in state court Fort Worth, Texas regarding alleged violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct. A unanimous court concurred in the judgment that the sanctions against Mr. Babcock's client should be reversed and vacated. One justice found the canons at issue unconstitutional as applied.
- Thomas Knight v. Chicago Tribune, et al. 2005 (State Court Cook County, Illinois)
Libel case against The Chicago Tribune in Cook County, Illinois. The jury ruled for Mr. Babcock's clients, the defendants, in the first libel trial for The Tribune in over 40 years. The defense verdict was affirmed on appeal and both the Illinois Supreme Court and United States Supreme Court declined review.
- O'Grady v. Twentieth Century Fox 2004 (U.S. District Court – E.D. Tex. at Texarkana)
Misappropriation claim in federal court in Texarkana regarding the movie Behind Enemy Lines. Mr. Babcock represented the defendant, Twentieth Century Fox. The case settled after jury selection.
- Texas Disposal Systems Landfill, Inc. v. Waste Management Holdings, Inc., et al. 2003 (Texas State Court Travis County)
Antitrust, fraud, defamation, and business disparagement claims tried to a jury for four weeks resulting in a defense verdict. Mr. Babcock represented the Defendants. Portions of the jury verdict were reversed on appeal and remanded.
- EDS v. ACS 2003 (Texas State Court Dallas County)
Temporary injunction hearing regarding covenant not to compete. Court denied injunction vindicating Mr. Babcock's client.
- Petris Petroleum v. SAIC 2002 (Texas State Court Harris County)
Breach of fiduciary duty case where Mr. Babcock represented the defendant. The case settled in the second week of trial.
- Paul Natkin et al. v. Oprah Winfrey, et al. 2000 (U.S. District Court – N.D. Illinois at Chicago)
Defended Oprah in a copyright infringement lawsuit in federal court in Chicago. The case settled during a jury trial after the plaintiff admitted on cross examination he had no damages.
- Procter & Gamble v. Amway, et al. 1999 (U.S. District Court – S.D. Tex. at Houston)
Lanham Act and other claims tried to a federal court jury in Houston. Mr. Babcock's client, Amway, was awarded a directed verdict at the close of the evidence. The plaintiff took two appeals to the Fifth Circuit and the claims against Mr. Babcock's client were completely dismissed.
- Texas Beef Group, et al. v. Oprah Winfrey, et al. 1998 (U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Amarillo)
Product disparagement and defamation case tried to a jury where the jury ruled for Oprah, Mr. Babcock's client. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the jury verdict.
- Sylvester Turner v. KTRK-TV, et al. 1996 (Texas State Court Harris County)
Jury verdict for Plaintiff in libel case. Reversed on appeal.
- Texans Against Censorship v. State Bar of Texas 1995 (U.S. District Court – E.D. Tex. at Tyler)
First Amendment challenge to new regulations on lawyer advertising. The case was tried and some regulations were held unconstitutional while others were upheld. The case was settled on appeal. Mr. Babcock represented some of the Plaintiffs and was awarded attorneys fees.
- Southwest Manufacturers, Inc. v. Beverage Business Systems 1991 (U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Fort Worth)
Slander case against speakers bureau and book publisher tried to a jury with a defense verdict in federal court in Fort Worth.
- Summit Healthcare v. Mitchell Moriber 1990 (U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Lubbock)
This was a service mark infringement case where Mr. Babcock represented the Plaintiff in a trial before a jury. The case settled while the jury was deliberating.
- Hartman Newspapers v. Willis Webb 1990 (Texas State Court For Bend County)
This suit involved the alleged breach of a covenant not to compete. An interlocutory appeal was taken regarding injunctive relief. The case settled following appeal.
- Thaddeus Michael Lockhart v. Lynaugh 1989 (U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Dallas)
This was a civil rights suit where Mr. Babcock was appointed by Judge Higginbotham to represent the petitioner. The trial court denied relief and the case was appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
- Southmark Corporation v. Life Investors and USLICO Corporation 1988 (U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Dallas)
Dismissal of claims of breach of contract, tortious interference with contract affirmed on appeal. Mr. Babcock represented the Plaintiff.
- Kneeland v. NCAA et al. 1987 (U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Austin)
This was a suit under the Texas Open Records Act and the First Amendment tried to the Court. Mr. Babcock represented several of the Plaintiffs.
- Bessent v. Times Herald Printing Co. 1986 (Texas State Court Dallas County)
Mr. Babcock represented the Defendants who obtained a jury verdict after a summary judgment for Defendants was reversed and the case was remanded for trial.
- Hutchins v. Poe 1985 (Texas State Court Dallas County)
Lead counsel representing Plaintiffs in a fraud, Deceptive Trade Practices, and lender liability suit involving a drilling company client. The case was tried to a verdict after four weeks of testimony.
- Mzamane v. Winfrey (U.S. District Court – E.D. Pa. at Philadelphia)
This defamation and false light case was resolved shortly before trial.
- Paul Bradshaw v. MBANK, Emerald Air, et al. (U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Dallas)
This was a lender liability case. Mr. Babcock represented the Plaintiff, who settled shortly before trial.
- Dean Lee Elliott v. James Denton, et al. (Texas State Court Dallas County)
This was a medical malpractice case. Mr. Babcock represented the physician and the hospital. The case settled shortly before trial.
- Hilltower Inc., et al. v. United States Department of the Navy 1993 (U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Fort Worth)
This was a tort claim against the U.S. Navy. A U.S. Navy jet collided with a broadcast tower owned by two of the television network affiliate stations in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Babcock represented the Plaintiff. The case was settled shortly before trial.
- Matthews v. Wozencraft (U.S. District Court – E.D. Tex. at Sherman)
This case involved a claim of libel and invasion of privacy by misappropriation against Mr. Babcock's client, Kim Wozencraft, an author, and her publisher, Random House. The trial court granted summary judgment for the defendants and the case was affirmed on appeal in a case of first impression. The appellate decision is reported at 15 F.3d 432.
- United States v. Dianne M. Muhlenkamp (U.S. District Court – S.D. Tex. at Brownsville)
This was a criminal prosecution against a Catholic nun, Catholic lay-worker, and a reporter for the Dallas Times Herald. Mr. Babcock represented the reporter who avoided indictment.
- Maranatha! Music v. Word, Inc. and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. 1993 (U.S. District Court – W.D. Tex. at Waco)
This was an antitrust suit and breach of distribution agreement case settled shortly before trial.
- Satellite Music Network v. Donrey Media, Inc. (U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Dallas)
This case was a jury trial in federal court involving a breach of a network agreement. Mr. Babcock represented the defendant. The case was settled prior to final judgment.
- Miller v. TransAmerican Press (U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Fort Worth)
The case involved the speech and debate clause of the federal constitution and the right of journalists to protect their confidential sources. The case was settled after 11 years of litigation. The source was not revealed.
- Carver Dan Peavy v. New Times, Inc. and Peter Elkind 1997 (U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Dallas)
This was a suit regarding publication of allegedly illegal wiretap. The court found the statute unconstitutional as applied to the defendant. The decision is reported at 976 F.Supp. 532 (N.D. Tex. 1997).
- Stephens v. Dolcefino, Cause No. 1999-43183; 2007 (215th District Court of Harris County, Texas)
Jury verdict for television station on claims under Texas wiretap statute and for alleged invasion of privacy stemming from investigation into city official's work habits.
- Knight v. Chicago Tribune Co. et al., 895 N.E.2d 1007 (Ill. App. Ct. 2008)
Affirming jury verdict in favor of newspaper on suit for libel arising out of investigative report into role of prosecutorial misconduct in Illinois death sentences.
- Abdel-Hafiz v. ABC, Inc., et al., 240 S.W.3d 492 (Tex. App. – Fort Worth 2007, pet. denied)
Affirming summary judgment entered in favor of ABC News, Brian Ross, and Charles Gibson against defamation suit brought by FBI agent who allegedly refused to secretly record Muslim terrorism suspect during pre-9/11 investigation.
- FOX Entertainment Group, Inc., et al. v. Abdel-Hafiz, 240 S.W.3d 524 (Tex. App. – Fort Worth 2007, pet. denied)
Reversing trial court and rendering summary judgment for FOX News and Bill O'Reilly against defamation suit brought by FBI agent who allegedly refused to secretly record Muslim terrorism suspect during pre-9/11 investigation.
- Waddell v. FOX Entertainment Group, et al., Civil Action No. 3:06-cv-2387-M (N.D. Tex Mar. 12, 2008)
Summary judgment granted in favor of FOX News against chiropractor subject of investigative report into misuse of government loan program designed to benefit businesses affected by 9/11 attacks.
- Riccio v. Phillip McGraw, et al., Cause No. BC400362, Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (2009)
Anti-SLAPP special motion to strike granted in favor of McGraw in defamation suit arising out of Dr. Phil Show television program.
- Bessent v. Times Herald Printing Co., Cause No. No. 8469, in the Ninth Court of Civil Appeals of Texas in Beaumont, 601 S.W.2d 487 (Tex. Civ. App.-Beaumont 1980, no writ)
Defendants obtained a jury verdict after a summary judgment in their favor was reversed and the case was remanded for trial.
- Randolph Cook v. Oprah Winfrey, Civil Action No. 97C322 (U.S. District Court – N.D. Illinois)
Dismissal of defamation and tortious interference with business relations case.
- Dolcefino v. Randolph, Cause No. 14-99-00026-CV, in the Fourteenth Court of Appeals of Texas in Houston, 19 S.W.3d 906 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist] 2000, pet. denied)
Court of Appeals refused to find that there could be libel by implication when the actual statements made in a television broadcast were true, and the court reversed the denial of a motion for summary judgment on behalf of KTRK Television and its employees/reporter; the Texas Supreme Court denied the Petition for Review filed by the plaintiffs.
- Stanley J. Dudrick, M.D. v. Wayne Dolcefino and Capital Cities/ABC National Television Sales, Inc., d/b/a Channel 13 KTRK TV, Cause No. 92-21359, in the 55th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas and the Fourteenth Court of Appeals of Texas in Houston, 1998 WL 856236 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1998)
Trial court granted summary judgment for defendants in defamation action based upon investigative report regarding physician; Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment on appeal.
- Evans v. Dolcefino, Cause No. 01-97-00545-CV, in the 189th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas and the First Court of Appeals of Texas in Houston, 986 S.W.2d 69 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, no pet.)
Court of Appeals reversed the denial of a motion for summary judgment and rendered judgment in favor of a Houston television station and reporter.
- Howell v. Hecht, Cause No. No. 05-88-01446-CV, in the Fifth Court of Appeals of Texas in Dallas, 821 S.W.2d 627 (Tex. App.-Dallas 1991, writ ref'd)
Summary judgment for defendant; affirmed on appeal.
- Matthews v. Wozencraft and Random House, Civil Action No. 4:91-CV-96, in the U.S. District Court – E.D. Tex. and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 115 F.3d 432 (5th Cir. 1994)
Summary judgment for defendants in misappropriation of likeness and invasion of privacy case; affirmed on appeal.
- Annie L. Preston v. Wayne Dolcefino, Capital Cities\ABC, Inc., CC Texas Holding Company, Inc. and KTRK Television, Inc., Cause No. 95-038952, in the 295th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas
Dismissal of libel case.
- Southwest Manufacturers, Inc. v. Beverage Business Systems, Cause No. CA4-87-875K, U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex. at Fort Worth
Jury verdict for defendant in slander case against speakers bureau and book publisher.
- William Stephens, et al. v. Wayne Dolcefino, et al., Cause No. 1999-43183, in the 215th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas
Summary judgment for defendants in invasion of privacy and alleged wiretap case; partially reversed on appeal.
- Sylvester Turner v. KTRK-TV, et al., Cause No. 92-32914, in the 165th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas, and the Fourteenth Court of Appeals of Texas in Houston, 987 S.W.2d 100 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1998), and the Texas Supreme Court, 38 S.W.3d 103 (Tex. 2000)
Jury verdict for public official plaintiff in libel case; Court of Appeals reversed and rendered judgment for defendants; Texas Supreme Court affirmed judgment for defendants.
- The Proctor & Gamble Company et al. v. Amway, et al., Civil Action No. 99-20590, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 242 F.3d 539 (5th Cir. 2001)
Representation of defendant in Lanham Act, RICO, common law disparagement and libel claims arising from alleged spread of "Satanism" rumor; motion for judgment granted after two-week jury trial.
- Texas Beef Group, et al. v. Oprah Winfrey, et al., Civil Action No. 2-96-CV-208, in the U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex, Amarillo Division, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 201 F.3d 680 (5th Cir. 2000)
Jury verdict for defendants Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Productions after six-week jury trial in perishable agricultural product disparagement and defamation case; Fifth Circuit affirmed verdict on appeal.
- Texas Disposal Systems Landfill, Inc. v. Waste Management Holdings, Inc., formerly known as Waste Management, Inc., Waste Management of Texas, Inc., Cause No. 97-12163l, in the 126th Judicial District Court of Travis County, Texas
Jury verdict in defamation and business disparagement case after four-week jury trial.
- Darlene Tracy v. Oprah Winfrey, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Harpo Productions, Inc. and ABC Television, 2008 WL 2357943 (1st Cir.) (slip op.)
Affirming Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) dismissal of copyright infringement, fraud, and misappropriation of trade secrets claims relating to Oprah's "Big Give" program.
- Texas Beef Group, et al. v. Oprah Winfrey, et al., Civil Action No. 2-96-CV-208, in the U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex, Amarillo Division, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 201 F.3d 680 (5th Cir. 2000)
Jury verdict for defendants Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Productions after six-week jury trial in perishable agricultural product disparagement and defamation case; Fifth Circuit affirmed verdict on appeal.
- Maranatha! Music v. Word, Inc., Case No. W-92-CA-207, U.S. District Court – W.D. Tex., Waco Division
Settlement reached in antitrust and breach of distribution agreement case.
- Natkin, et al. v. Oprah Winfrey, et al., Civil Action No. 99-C-5367, U.S. District Court – N.D. Ill., Eastern Division
Settlement reached on third day of trial in copyright case against Oprah Winfrey filed by former photographers of the Oprah Winfrey show.
- Satellite Music Network v. Donrey Media, Inc., U.S. District Court – N.D. Tex., Dallas Division
Settlement reached prior to final judgment in jury trial of a breach of a network agreement case.
- Miller v. TransAmerican Press, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 709 F.2d 524 (9th Cir. 1983)
Case involving speech and debate clause of the federal Constitution.
- Texans Against Censorship v. State Bar of Texas, U.S. District Court – E.D. Tex.
First Amendment challenge to new regulations on lawyer advertising; case was tried and some regulations were held unconstitutional while others were upheld; settlement reached on appeal.
- Dolcefino v. Harris County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Tommy Thomas, Case No. 2008-03462, in the 281st Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas (2008)
Summary judgment for television station wherein trial court required local sheriff to produce deleted emails to reporter over sheriff's claims that emails were exempt from state law retention and production requirements.
- Wayne Dolcefino v. Honorable Dan Morales, HISD, Dr. Rod Paige, Cause No. 94-47506, in the 215th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas
Access to records under the Open Records Act.
- Kneeland v. NCAA, Cause No. 86-1825, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 850 F.2d 224 (5th Cir. 1988), cert denied, 109 S. Ct. 868 (1989)
Access to NCAA and Southwest Conference records.
More about Charles L. Babcock: Biography | Speeches / Publications | News Speeches / Publications
Mr. Babcock is a frequent speaker and writer on trial tactics and procedure. He also writes and speaks on issues affecting free speech and freedom of the press. Some of his articles include "The Role of Court and Jury In Libel Cases," 47 S. Tex. L. Rev. 325 (2005); "No-Citation Rules: An Unconstitutional Prior Restraint,," 30 Litigation 33 (Summer 2004); "Getting Your Message Across: Visual Aids and Demonstrative Exhibits in the Courtroom,," 27 Litigation 41 (Spring 2001); "Texas Supreme Court Considers Abolishing Unpublished Opinions,," The Houston Lawyer 22 (Sept./Oct. 2001); "Allegedly Criminal Newsgathering and First Amendment Due Process,," LDRC, (2002); and "Of and Concerning Real People and Writers of Fiction,," 7 COMM/ENT L.J. 221 (1985).
Links to Publications
More about Charles L. Babcock: Biography | Experience | News
Latest News
More about Charles L. Babcock: Biography | Experience | Speeches / Publications |
Practice Areas
EducationA.B., Brown University J.D., Boston University School of Law
- Executive Editor, Boston University Law Review
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
- United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- United States Courts of Appeals for the First, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits
- United States Supreme Court
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