2026 Silha Lecture: Leita Walker

Leita Walker is a litigator and trial lawyer in the Media and Entertainment group at Ballard Spahr LLP. She has nearly 20 years of experience defending speech in libel litigation, helping news organizations obtain access to governmental and judicial records, and helping journalists and whistleblowers navigate high-profile and politically polarizing situations, including demonstrations and other events that sometimes turn violent.  Leita’s First Amendment practice includes defending libel, privacy, and right of publicity claims in trial and appellate courts across the country; prepublication vetting of book manuscripts, news articles, TV scripts, podcasts, documentaries, and entertainment content; and advising clients on subpoenas and privilege issues, copyright law, and state and federal freedom of information laws. In addition to media organizations, Leita represents consumer brands that engage in speech through social media and sponsored influencers, as well as whistleblowers, counseling them on not only the defamation, privacy, and security risks that arise in coming forward but also on how to navigate the inevitable media inquiries that follow-on high-profile accusations against public figures.  Leita is one of the country’s leading experts on cameras in courtrooms, having represented a large media coalition in connection with courtroom access to the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, the first criminal trial in Minnesota to be televised and livestreamed. Following the trial, Leita successfully pushed the Minnesota Supreme Court to expand its rule governing cameras in state courts and has since turned to similar efforts in the federal court system. She is a frequent speaker at national conferences, including judicial conferences, on this topic.  Starting with the unrest that arose from George Floyd’s murder, Leita has also become a leading expert on helping journalists cover and prepare for political demonstrations and other events where both their safety and constitutional rights may be threatened. She has led the representation of several coalitions of journalists covering, for example, national political conventions and the presidential inauguration, working closely and collaboratively with law enforcement and other public officials to ensure their First Amendment rights are respected and they can safely do their jobs. When journalists are harassed or injured by police, Leita has worked to ensure accountability.