Michael Kovaka Email & Phone Number

Denver, Co, Us

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Served as Director of South Sudan Constitutional Development Project, designed to provide support to the National Constitutional Review Commission and other South Sudanese entities in the process of drafting a permanent constitution. Provided support to Southern Sudanese authorities in preparing for 2011 Referendum on Independence. Served as Director of Kosovo Rule of Law Project. Headed local Kosovo office charged with implementing State Department-funded access to justice project working with local partners to promote legal reform and citizen participation in the Kosovo justice system. Designed and implemented the first major Kosovo strategic litigation initiative aimed at promoting accountability by Kosovo justice system officials and institutions. Brought successful actions against the Kosovo Judicial Council, Office of the Prime Minister, Kosovo Police, and Kosovo Prosecutorial Council. Created and oversaw the Justice and the People Campaign -- a national citizens' advocacy campaign successfully fighting for justice-system policy reform. Worked with local NGO partner to provide free legal aid clinics in seven municipalities across Kosovo.

Greater Denver Area

Assistant Professor in the Sturm College of Law Externship Program, a program that prepares students to transition effectively from law studies to the practice of law in a professional environment. Taught seminars focused on topics relating to the practice of law in private firms, including professional development, ethics, advocacy, practice management, and client relationships. Monitored individual externships, liaised with attorney supervisors, and mentored student externs working in private law practices. Supported Externship Program in enhancing existing programs and developing new opportunities in experiential learning.

Washington, D.C.

Specialist in media counseling, media defense, and access to information. Areas of special expertise: freedom of speech; freedom of the press; prepublication counseling on newsgathering and content issues; online media, protection of news sources; right of public access to government records, meetings, and proceedings; libel defense; invasion of privacy; right of publicity; newsroom subpoenas.Served as General Counsel for the Online News Association. Defended U.S. and international defamation actions against The Center for Public Integrity. Brought successful FOIA action on behalf of leading animal welfare organization against USDA. Advised clients in all media on a wide variety of prepublication issues.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Specialist in media counseling, media defense, civil litigation, and appeals. Represented newspapers, magazines, broadcasters, and online media throughout the nation on matters relating to the gathering of news and information and its dissemination through the online, print, and broadcast media. Defended numerous legal actions against news organizations at every level of the state and federal judicial systems nationwide. Representative Cases:Defense of Michael Bloomberg and other New York City officials in suit brought by gun dealer caught in NYC sting operation. Defense of The Atlanta Journal and Constitution in libel suit by former Olympic Park bombing suspect, Richard Jewell.Representation of journalists in criminal and civil proceedings arising from the Waco Branch Davidian siege. Prosecution of mandamus proceedings on behalf of Phil Donahue and North Carolina death-row inmate seeking right to record video of the condemned prisoner’s execution. Defense of former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates in libel suit based on criticism of police response to rioting in the wake of the Rodney King verdict.