Wiley Rein Partner Megan Brown Named a Law360 “Rising Star” for Technology

Washington DC — Megan L. Brown, a partner in Wiley Rein’s Communications, Litigation, and Appellate practices, has been named a “Rising Star” by Law360, reflecting her role in major achievements for clients, including the wireless industry.  As described in a recent profile by Law360, her work has included a major First Amendment case for CTIA—The Wireless Association and a “high-profile” case before the Supreme Court of the United States.  Ms. Brown is one of four winners—and the only woman—in Law360’s technology category, and Wiley Rein was one of only three law firms recognized in that category this year. 

As recounted by Law360, Ms. Brown helped lead a team of Wiley Rein attorneys working on behalf of the wireless industry to persuade the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to invalidate San Francisco’s controversial “Right to Know” ordinance, which required retailers to disseminate information based on unfounded fears about health risks from cell phone use.  In an article published yesterday, Law360 noted that Ms. Brown and her colleagues—in their representation of CTIA—convinced the Ninth Circuit that the ordinance “potentially and inappropriately led consumers to think the exposure was dangerous” in violation of retailers’ free speech rights.

“We prevailed in Ninth Circuit and vindicated the First Amendment rights of wireless retailers to not be forced to promote the city of San Francisco’s controversial views on perceived cell phone safety,” Ms. Brown told Law360.

The publication also talks about Ms. Brown’s role in the Supreme Court case of Clapper v. Amnesty International USA, in which she authored and filed an amicus brief on behalf of six former U.S. attorneys general.  In its ruling, the Supreme Court sided with Ms. Brown’s clients, finding 5-4 that individuals and organizations did not have standing to challenge the constitutionality of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act of 2008.

Law360 noted Ms. Brown’s “dedication to filing pro bono briefs” and quoted her as saying,

“I try and do a couple of pro bono briefs every year, often having to do with government power or the jurisdiction of federal courts,” Ms. Brown said.  “The firm is very generous to support diverse pro bono work, and it lets me keep my hand on issues that I find important and that are key to the appropriate role of government and courts in society.”  Ms. Brown has filed briefs in several First Amendment cases, addressing issues from commercial speech and compelled speech to the Establishment Clause.

Throughout her practice, Ms. Brown has developed expertise helping businesses and industries respond to emerging regulation and legislation, including in the area of national security and cybersecurity.  She handles complex litigation and regulatory proceedings and compliance issues under a variety of statutes, including the federal Communications Act, as well as the U.S. Constitution.