Kathleen A. Kirby

Kathleen Kirby is a partner at Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, D.C., where she co-chairs the firm’s Telecom, Media & Technology Practice. She represents major media clients—including radio and television group owners, programming networks, and digital content providers—on a wide range of business, regulatory, and legislative matters before the FCC and Congress.

A former radio broadcaster, Kathleen brings deep expertise in First Amendment law, newsgathering rights, and content regulation, and is known for her advocacy for press freedom and government transparency.

On behalf of RTNDA, Kirby was instrumental in persuading the Court to release audiotapes at the conclusion of the historic oral argument in Bush v. Gore. She is working with representatives from numerous journalism organizations on federal legislative efforts to strengthen FOIA and create a federal shield law.

Kirby is a frequent author and lecturer on the legal aspects of newsgathering and First Amendment values. She has discussed legal developments affecting FOI, free press and free speech in “Legal Notes,” a monthly column for RTNDA’s Communicator magazine, and created RTNDA’s online state-by-state guide to cameras in the courtroom. She wrote Keeping It Legal: A Media Law Handbook for the Newsroom, a practical reference guide for news managers facing FOI and other legal issues. She is also served on the board of directors for the Student Press Law Center in Arlington, Va.

In 2024, Kathleen was elected President of the Federal Communications Bar Association—the Tech Bar. She also serves as a board member of the Broadcasters Foundation of America and the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation. Kathleen has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and The Best Lawyers in America for her outstanding work in media and telecommunications law.

(Updated April 2025)