Jackson Walker represented an investigative journalist for Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. After breaking a story about a sexual assault scandal at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, the journalist was subpoenaed to testify at the court-martial of the accused soldier regarding his communications with other victims who came forward after the story was published. Dallas attorneys Bob Latham and Miguel Ortiz prepared a motion to quash the subpoena.

At a pre-trial hearing just days before the court-martial was set to begin, Miguel—who served as an enlisted paralegal in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps and was responsible for key administrative functions for court-martial proceedings prior to law school—appeared before a military judge and highlighted the subpoena’s legal and procedural deficiencies under the military rules of evidence and federal common law. The judge limited the potential involvement of the journalist enough that the defense did not call him as a witness.

Meet JW

Founded in 1887, Jackson Walker continues to advance the world of business by helping companies of all sizes navigate today’s increasingly complex, interconnected legal landscape. With over one-third of the Firm’s more than 400 attorneys practicing litigation, JW has one of the largest trial practices in the Southwest and has been recognized as a National Tier 1-ranked “Best Law Firm” in the area of First Amendment litigation for nine consecutive years. To explore the Firm’s experience defending media clients against libel, obscenity, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress cases, visit our Media practice page.