Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Business & Commercial Disputes

Associate - Litigation and Investigations

Brian Underwood is a litigator on the firm's Media and First Amendment Team, through which he assists Internet and media clients navigate a variety of legal disputes involving their content and speech. In particular, Brian has repeated experience defending clients against high-profile defamation claims in both state and federal jurisdictions, litigating matters involving online advertising, copyright, or trademark matters, and securing the dismissal of a variety of claims based on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. These claims often involve complex questions concerning statutory and First Amendment protections and restrictions on commercial and non-political speech, on which Mr. Underwood has given presentations in both an in-house and conference setting,

As an additional complement to his media and First Amendment practice, Brian maintains a general commercial litigation practice in which he helps both media and non-media clients from a variety of industries litigate a wide range of cases, especially in Georgia. While the particulars of every case will vary, Brian has a depth of knowledge in matters involving the interpretation of arbitration agreements under the Federal Arbitration Act, the protection of trade secrets, claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection, and alleged trespasses to computer systems under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.  In addition to such matters, Brian also has experience in litigation involving non-compete/non-solicitation agreements, employment contracts, joint venture agreements, contracts for the sale or purchase of a business, and contracts for the licensing of intellectual property, as well as a large assortment of standard business torts such as fraud, tortious interference with business relations, and conversion.

Brian obtained his J.D. from the Duke University School of Law, where he served on the Executive Board of the Duke Law Journal and became a lifelong fan of Duke basketball. Brian remains, however, a loyal fan of the University of Georgia, his first alma mater where he obtained degrees in history and political science, and its football team.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Georgia Bar Association – Intellectual Property Section American Bar Association – Forum on Communications Law