Robert D. Nelon

A leading resource on Media and First Amendment Law issues, Mr. Nelon has practiced in this field for more than 35 years.  He has been named a Best Lawyer in America in First Amendment Law and Litigation-First Amendment and has been recognized as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer in First Amendment/Media/Advertising Law.  In addition, he is listed in Who’s Who in America and America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals; has an AV rating through Martindale-Hubbell; and has been ranked in Band 2 in Litigation: General Commercial Law by Chambers USA. He is the recipient of the 2009 Bobby G. Knapp Bar Leadership Award presented by the Oklahoma County Bar Association for, "sustained and effective leadership in the OCBA, distinguished by stewardship and professionalism reflecting the highest values of our legal community."

Through the years Mr. Nelon has represented a large number of national media clients, including ABC, CBS, NBC, A&E Television Networks, BBC America, The New York Times, Dow Jones & Co. (The Wall Street Journal), Random House, Conde Nast, The Walt Disney Co., Allbritton Communications, Hearst Television, The E.W. Scripps Company, and Stephens Media, as well as numerous local television and radio stations and newspapers.

Mr. Nelon is a frequent speaker or panelist on media law topics and is the author of various articles on media law including “Media Defamation in Oklahoma: A Modest Proposal and New Perspectives,” 34 Okla. L:. Rev. 478 (Part I), 34 Okla. L. Rev. 737 (Part II) (1980). 

He is the recipient of the 2006 Marian Opala First Amendment Award, presented by Freedom of Information Oklahoma; the Oklahoma County Bar Association 1978 Award of Merit, 1999 Meritorious Service Award, and 2006 Professional Service Award; and The Journal Record 2006 Leadership in Law Award.

• Shareholder

• Antitrust
• Appellate
• Complex Commercial Litigation
• Copyrights
• Corporate Services
• Insurance
• Intellectual Property & Information Technology
• Intellectual Property Litigation
• Litigation
• Media
• Products Liability
• Trademarks

• "Bob Nelon Hall Estill Attorney and Citizens Advisory Committee member discusses the MAPS 3 Senior Aquatic Centers"
• "Bob Nelon Oklahoman OpEd Cameras in the Courtroom Remain Controversial"

• University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D., 1971)
• Northwestern University (B.A. in Political Science, 1968)

• Oklahoma, 1971
• U.S. District Court of the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma
• United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Services
• United States Court of Appeals for the Second, Eighth and Tenth Circuits
• United States Supreme Court

• Oklahoma Academy for State Goals
• Leadership Oklahoma (Class VI) and Leadership Oklahoma City (Class VIII)
• American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma, Board of Directors (1993-2004, 2005-present), Board Chair (2008-2010)
• Community Literacy Centers, Board of Directors (1989-2008), President (1993-1997), Advisory Board of Directors (2008-present)
• Church of the Servant (United Methodist), Administrative Council (1984-1988, 2006-2010)
• Blue Stem Homeowners Association, Board of Directors (2005-2009)
• Pine Knoll Townes (NC) Homeowners Association Board of Directors (1999-2002, 2007-present)
• Committee Member, MAPS 3 Citizen Advisory Board's Senior Wellness Centers Subcommittee

• 1995 - Present Hall Estill
• 1971, 1975 - 1995 Andrews Davis Legg Bixler Milsten & Price
• 1966-1970 Oklahoma Attorney General Office (part-time)
• 1972-1974 USMCR, JAG, MCAS Cherry Point, NC

• American Bar Association, Forum on Communications Law (Governing Board 2002-2005)
• American Judicature Society
• Oklahoma Bar Association, Communications Committee (2003-present); Vice-Chair (2012)
• Oklahoma County Bar Association, Treasurer (1987-present)
• Oklahoma County Bar Foundation, Board Member & Treasurer (1995-present)
• Media Law Resource Center, President (2010) of Defense Counsel Section (1985-present); Executive Committee (2007-2011); Emeritus Member (present) 

• First Amendment Law

• "The Peculiar Case of State v. Terry Lynn Nichols: Are Television Cameras Really Banned from Oklahoma Criminal Proceedings," - Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment Law & Practice - (2001)
• Frequent speaker or panelist on media law topics

Robert D. Nelon

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