Nancy W. Hamilton
Practice Areas
Experience
- Business Litigation
- Digital
- Entertainment Litigation
- Entertainment, Digital, & Sports
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Media
- Media Litigation
Biography
Nancy Wells Hamilton has appeared in federal and state courts in Texas, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia for clients who have included CNN, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil, CBS, Inc., The Tribune Company, and U.S. Trust. Nancy is a frequent writer and lecturer on trial tactics and media law, including What to do When the Media Calls and Building Rapport in the Courthouse for the Texas State Bar; Trial Techniques for the Media Law Resource Center Annual Conferences in 2006 and 2008; an appearance on PBS Houston’s KUHT-TV program The Connection on videotaping jury deliberations; and a Texas State Bar Pattern Jury Charge project.
Education
B.A., Skidmore College
J.D., University of Houston Law Center
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
- United States Court of Appeals for the First, Second, Fifth, and Seventh Circuits
- United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Nancy was instrumental in securing a dismissal for Houston’s Dynamo Stadium LLC, Houston’s major league soccer venue, and the Stadium security manager, Nathan Buchanan, in a civil rights lawsuit involving the waving of a Palestinian flag by an attendee at a Honduras v. Israel soccer game. Nancy and co-counsel Joel R. Glover moved for summary judgment and in granting the motion, the judge ruled that the plaintiff did not provide evidence that the defendants acted on account of the plaintiff’s race, ethnicity or national origin or that the government was involved in the defendants’ actions, both necessary requirements for a civil rights case to go forward.
“There was no evidence of the government actually being involved in this incident,” said Nancy in an article about the case published in the Houston Chronicle on November 19, 2015. “Nor was there any evidence that the stadium personnel were enforcing any city ordinance.” “There was no evidence that the stadium personnel were aware of her race and nationality,” and no violations of her civil rights,” as the court so found.
- Matthew Miles Barasch v. CBS Television Distribution as a Division of CBS Studios, Inc., 2018 â In the Court of Appeal of the State of California, Second Appellate District, Division One
- Buthayna Hammad v. Dynamo Stadium, LLC and Nathan Buchanan, 2015 â In the United States District Court; Southern District of Texas
- Deepak Kalpoe et al v. Phillip C. McGraw, et al, 2015 â Second District Court of Appeals
- Southern Chemical Corporation v. Celanese Ltd., 2012 â U.S. District Court â 190th Judicial District, Harris County, TX
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2005-2026
- Lawyer of the Year – Houston, Litigation – First Amendment, 2023
- Litigation – First Amendment, 2012-2026
- First Amendment Law, 2008-2011
- Denis B. Kemball-Cook Award, Skidmore College, 2023
- Outstanding Service Award, Skidmore College, 2017
- Kristi Couvillon Pro Bono Award, Texas Civil Rights Project, 2013
- Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2003
- Top Lawyer, H Texas magazine
- AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Houston Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Skidmore College
- Chair of the Board of Trustees, 2019-2023
- Past Member and Vice-Chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors
- Member of the Presidentâs Advisory Council
- Member of the 2019 Presidential Search Committee
- Co-Chair of Creating our Future: The Campaign for Skidmore Fundraiser
- Council of 100
- KMV Campaign Committee
- Member of Advancement, Executive, Trusteeship, and Academic Affairs Committees
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 106 âOnes to Watchâ
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
Attorney News • August 21, 2025
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 15, 2024
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 17, 2023
Nancy Hamilton Honored With Denis B. Kemball-Cook Award by Skidmore College
First Amendment litigation partner Nancy Hamilton was recently presented with the Denis B. Kemball-Cook Award from her alma mater, Skidmore College, in honor of her long-time support and involvement as Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Attorney News • May 23, 2023
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 18, 2022
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 19, 2021
JW Media | VIA ePostcard â October 2020
Featuring “US Supreme Court Grabs Attention of Tech Giants as Past Immunity Granted by Section 230 Is Called Into Question,” “Establishment of Press Council Marks Milestone in Reform Process,” “The First Amendment Is the Soul of Our Democracy,” “Here We Are Now, Entertain Us,” and Firm-related news and highlights.
Newsletters • October 30, 2020
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Honors 164 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 Edition, Including 9 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 25 “Ones to Watch”
Jackson Walker congratulates the 164 attorneys who were selected by their peers as Best Lawyers, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 25 Ones to Watch, across 6 offices and 66 specialty practice areas.
Attorney News • August 20, 2020
JW Media | VIA ePostcard â October 2019
Featuring “Dallas Media Shines in Coverage of Amber Guyger Murder Trial”; “Jackson Walker Celebrates 114 Years of Service to Media Clients at MLRC London Conference”; “Nate St. Clair Moderates College Athletics Panel at NSLI Conference”; “Igniting Change: Jackson Walker Rises in Ranks for Diversity & Inclusion Efforts.”
Newsletters • October 21, 2019
Jackson Walker Celebrates 114 Years of Service to Media Clients at MLRC London Conference
As the Firm celebrates 114 years of uninterrupted service to our media clients, Stacy Allen, Chip Babcock, Joel Glover, Nancy Hamilton, and Bob Latham trekked more than 4,700 miles to attend the Media Law Resource Centerâs London Conference held September 15-17, 2019.
Spotlight • October 14, 2019
JW Media | VIA ePostcard â August 2019
Featuring Bob Latham’s involvement in providing input on Facebook’s proposed Oversight Board; Jackson Walker’s appellate win for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; The Best Lawyers in America‘s 2020 edition recognizing Jackson Walker’s First Amendment and media law attorneys; and more.
Newsletters • August 20, 2019
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 109 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2020 Edition, With Eight Named “Lawyers of the Year”
Jackson Walker congratulates our 109 attorneys named to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers in America 2020 list, including eight attorneys who were named “Lawyers of the Year.”
Attorney News • August 14, 2019
JW Media | VIA ePostcard â April 2019
Featuring “Is the Threat of Violence and Discord Killing Free Speech?”; Chip Babcock’s recognition in Chambers and Partners’ 2019 USA and Global guides; Bob Latham’s Winners & Losers column on his first in-person UFC experience; Jackson Walker’s representation of FunnelAI; and the latest news from around the Firm.
Newsletters • May 2, 2019
Is the Threat of Violence and Discord Killing Free Speech?
By Nancy W. Hamilton |Â Two years ago, I wrote that concerns over campus protests on issues of free speech were not a âmanufactured crisisâ but rather an increasing threat to free speech and the physical safety of students and speakers alike.
Insights • May 2, 2019
JW Media | VIA ePostcard â August 2018
In the August 2018 edition, Bob Latham reveals the potential consequences of Rudy Giuliani’s meme-worthy “truth isn’t truth” statement; Jackson Walker continues its decades-long support of the Texas Association of Broadcasters (TAB); and Best Lawyers recognizes Paul Watler in the area of Media Law.
Newsletters • August 31, 2018
- First Amendment Litigation
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Media Litigation
Practice Experience
Nancy was instrumental in securing a dismissal for Houston’s Dynamo Stadium LLC, Houston’s major league soccer venue, and the Stadium security manager, Nathan Buchanan, in a civil rights lawsuit involving the waving of a Palestinian flag by an attendee at a Honduras v. Israel soccer game. Nancy and co-counsel Joel R. Glover moved for summary judgment and in granting the motion, the judge ruled that the plaintiff did not provide evidence that the defendants acted on account of the plaintiff’s race, ethnicity or national origin or that the government was involved in the defendants’ actions, both necessary requirements for a civil rights case to go forward.
“There was no evidence of the government actually being involved in this incident,” said Nancy in an article about the case published in the Houston Chronicle on November 19, 2015. “Nor was there any evidence that the stadium personnel were enforcing any city ordinance.” “There was no evidence that the stadium personnel were aware of her race and nationality,” and no violations of her civil rights,” as the court so found.
- Matthew Miles Barasch v. CBS Television Distribution as a Division of CBS Studios, Inc., 2018 â In the Court of Appeal of the State of California, Second Appellate District, Division One
- Buthayna Hammad v. Dynamo Stadium, LLC and Nathan Buchanan, 2015 â In the United States District Court; Southern District of Texas
- Deepak Kalpoe et al v. Phillip C. McGraw, et al, 2015 â Second District Court of Appeals
- Southern Chemical Corporation v. Celanese Ltd., 2012 â U.S. District Court â 190th Judicial District, Harris County, TX
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2005-2026
- Lawyer of the Year – Houston, Litigation – First Amendment, 2023
- Litigation – First Amendment, 2012-2026
- First Amendment Law, 2008-2011
- Denis B. Kemball-Cook Award, Skidmore College, 2023
- Outstanding Service Award, Skidmore College, 2017
- Kristi Couvillon Pro Bono Award, Texas Civil Rights Project, 2013
- Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2003
- Top Lawyer, H Texas magazine
- AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Community Involvement
- Houston Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Skidmore College
- Chair of the Board of Trustees, 2019-2023
- Past Member and Vice-Chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors
- Member of the Presidentâs Advisory Council
- Member of the 2019 Presidential Search Committee
- Co-Chair of Creating our Future: The Campaign for Skidmore Fundraiser
- Council of 100
- KMV Campaign Committee
- Member of Advancement, Executive, Trusteeship, and Academic Affairs Committees
Areas of Focus
- First Amendment Litigation
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Media Litigation