Shannon Zmud Teicher
Practice Areas
Experience
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Blockchain & Digital Assets
- Copyrights
- Cybersecurity, Data Protection, & Privacy
- Digital
- Entertainment Litigation
- Entertainment, Digital, & Sports
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Media
- Media Litigation
- Technology
- Technology Licensing & Transactions
- Trademarks
“Shannon is a rare partner that sets herself apart by truly understanding the business, the industry dynamics, and the products. She knows how her advice and counsel apply specifically to our company and needs.”
— Client Quoted in Chambers USA Guide, 2024
“Shannon is a strategic thought partner who understands the challenges faced by innovative technology companies. Her technical skills, creative problem solving, and versatility truly add value for her clients.”
— Brittany DeGan, General Counsel, rewardStyle
Biography
Shannon Zmud Teicher is a partner at Jackson Walker who litigates and counsels in the fields of entertainment, intellectual property, technology and business disputes. She co-chairs JW’s Entertainment, Digital & Sports section that leverages the firm’s years of experience and full-service resources to provide clients with practical advice in the intersection of IP, NIL, AI, licensing, online marketplaces, marketing, social media, privacy and more. Shannon’s accolades include Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, ranked for Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets (2024), The Best Lawyers in America Woodward/White Inc. Commercial Litigation (2024) and Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America (2023-2024).
Shannon helps businesses and personalities protect, license, and monetize their intellectual property and name / image / likeness. Her representative clients include:
- Celebrities, designers, actors, writers, artists, influencers, podcasters
- Broadcast and media companies
- Online marketplaces
- Affiliate and ad display networks
- Web and app developers
- Finance and banking
- Hospitality, real estate, accommodations and travel
- Managed professional service providers in various industries
- Municipalities
Education
B.J., summa cum laude, University of Missouri
J.D., with honors, University of Texas School of Law
- Co-Editor-in-Chief, Texas Journal on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
Entertainment:
- Evaluate and negotiate celebrity talent agreements
- Protect and develop copyright, trademark, NIL and other intellectual property rights
- Merchandising, sponsorships, appearances, licensing and other monetization opportunities
- Prepublication review and fair use considerations
Marketing campaigns and promotions:
- Social media and endorsements, including disclosures
- Social media and regulatory compliance, including Federal Trade Commission (FTC), National Advertising Division (NAD) and other regulatory and self-regulatory organizations
- User-generated content, including Communications Decency Act (CDA) implications
- Fair use and copyright issues for images, videos and music, including Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) registration and take-downs
- Sweepstakes, contests and prize giveaways
- Charitable raffles and related marketing agreements
- Mobile, text and telemarketing issues, including Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) compliance
- Privacy issues, including Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) compliance
Intellectual property:
- Trademark search, registration, protection, licensing, cease and desist, and infringement matters
- Copyright registration, protection, licensing, cease and desist, and infringement matters
- Trade secret policies, protection and misappropriation matters
- Domain name acquisition, protection, cease and desist, and Uniform Domain Name Dispute (UDRP) matters
- Agreements to govern web and app activities, including Terms of Service (TOS), End User License Agreements (EULA), Privacy Policies, Security Policies, Subscription / Auto-renewal Agreements, and Distribution Agreements
- Agreements to govern independent contractor, employee and developer relationships, including work made for hire, non-disclosure, security, social media and confidentiality agreements
- Advice on compliance issues such as privacy and ADA accessibility
First Amendment:
- Defend defamation, libel, privacy and related claims
- Defend subpoenas in both criminal and civil courts
- Pursuing public records and enforcing open meeting laws
- Securing access to courtrooms
Representative Litigation:
- The Dallas Morning News Inc. and Steve Blow v. John Tatum and Mary Sue Tatum, 554 S.W.3d 614 (Tex. 2018) – Defended The Dallas Morning News against a defamation lawsuit, securing a dismissal from the Texas Supreme Court.
- TerraCORE Panels, LLC v. Stone Panels, LLC (N.D. Tex. 2016) – Represented Stone Panels in case involving claims of unfair competition and defamation. Aggressive defense strategy included cross-claims for copyright infringement. Case was favorably settled during discovery phase and included an agreed permanent injunction against TerraCORE enjoining use of Stone Panels’ copyrighted designs.
- Viewpoint Bank, N.A. v. PointBank (E.D. Tex. 2015) Represented Viewpoint Bank in a declaratory judgment action seeking a declaration of no trademark infringement (settled).
- Mike Leach v. Spaeth Communications, Inc. et. al., 455 S.W.3d 171 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2014, pet. denied) – Represented Spaeth Communications in an action filed by the former Texas Tech head football Coach Mike Leach. Leach was fired by the university after an investigation into allegations he mistreated a student athlete who had suffered a concussion. The events surrounding Leach’s dismissal received substantial media attention and he purportedly sued Spaeth Communications for its work on behalf of the student’s family. The Lubbock trial court granted summary judgment, dismissing Leach’s claims for defamation, tortious interference and conspiracy. The judgment was affirmed on appeal.
- FPX, LLC v. Google Inc. et al., 276 F.R.D. 543 (E.D. Tex. 2011) — Represented Google Inc., AOL LLC, YouTube LLC, Turner Broadcasting, MySpace, and Ask.com in two putative trademark class action lawsuits asserting that Google’s AdWords program violated federal trademark law in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. The Court denied the Plaintiffs’ motions to certify the classes.
- Classic Ink, Inc. v. American Needle, 2010 WL 4307632 (Jury Trial, N.D. Tex. 2010)— Defended American Needle in a case involving trademark infringement with regard to defunct sports team logos in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. Jury returned a mixed verdict finding trademark infringement, but not willfully and awarded zero damages.
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets – Texas, 2024
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2023-2025
- “Rising Star,” Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2007, 2009-2011, 2013-2019
Publications
- “Avoiding Fashion Faux Pas: Factors to Consider When Drafting Agreements for Fashion Companies” (January 2022)
- “Cancel Culture and the Endless Stream of Subscriptions: A Discussion of Automatic Renewal Laws” (October 2021)
- “Two New Supreme Court Decisions Alter the Landscape for Litigating Copyright Infringement Cases” (March 2019)
- “First Amendment Watchdogs Warily Regard Passage of FOSTA” (April 2018)
- “Last Call: Your Q4 DMCA Agent Designation Reminder” (October 2017)
- “The Trump Administration Retweets and Retreats” (April 2017)
- “First Amendment Implications of Nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court” (February 2017)
Speaking Engagements
- “Negotiation Ethics: Winning Without Selling Your Soul,” TexasBarCLE Webcast (September 2024)
- “First Amendment and Free Speech: A Primer on the Cases We Should Know,” Dallas Bar Association’s Bench Bar Conference (April 2023)
- “Crafting the Key to the Courthouse: Evolving Standards and Strategies for Registering and Litigating Ownership of Copyright,” 2020 CSUSA Midwinter Meeting (February 2020)
- “FTC Endorsement and Influencer Guidelines and Best Practices,” Law x Style Summit, Dallas Bar Association’s Entertainment, Art & Sports Law Section (November 2019)
- Guest Lecturer, “Copyrights, Trademarks and Other IP: A Practical Guide for Businesses & Entrepreneurs,” Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business (September 2018)
- First Amendment Panel, Jackson Walker (January 2017)
- How Professional Journalists Separate Fake News From Facts, The Dallas Morning News (October 2017)
In the News
- Featured on WFAA-TV: “What Trumps SCOTUS pick means for Texas“
- Quoted in The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: “Texas Supreme Court Declines to Review Former Tech Coach Leach’s Appeal“
- Quoted in Law360: “Breitling Can’t Avoid Atty Fees in Fight with Petroleum News”
- Quoted in D Magazine Front Burner: “Attorney Shannon Zmud Invokes Journalists’ Shield Law For The First Time In Dallas County — And Wins”
- Media Law Resource Center, Pre-Publication/Pre-Broadcast Committee, Past Chair
- American Bar Association – Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
- Media, Privacy and Advertising Law Committee, Vice Chair, 2016-2017
- Dallas Bar Association, Media Relations Committee, Past Chair
- Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court, Associate, 2008
- Texas Women’s Foundation, serves on Board of Directors 2020 – Present; serves as Chair of Investment Advisory Committee (2024 – Present)
December 16, 2024
Newsletters
JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – December 2024
View Jackson Walker’s December 2024 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
October 3, 2024
Mentions
Shannon Zmud Teicher Discusses Effective Negotiation Strategy with ‘Expert Negotiator’
Jackson Walker partner Shannon Zmud Teicher was featured in Expert Negotiator, where she shared insights on her most effective negotiation strategies and how she has applied them.
September 9, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates 36 Attorneys Named Among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 36 attorneys to Lawdragon’s 2025 list of the 500 leading litigators in America. The third edition of this list recognizes America’s top talent in antitrust, financial and securities litigation, intellectual property, commercial litigation, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity, and white collar and investigations.
August 23, 2024
Newsletters
JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – August 2024
View Jackson Walker’s August 2024 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
June 6, 2024
Spotlight
Chambers and Partners Releases 2024 USA Guide Featuring 67 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 23 Ranked Departments
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 67 attorneys and 23 departments for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 27 departments, with 3 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 8 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 15 recognized for the first time.
June 6, 2024
Spotlight
Intellectual Property Group Recognized in Chambers USA Guide, With Brian Prewitt and Shannon Zmud Teicher Ranked Individually
Jackson Walker has been ranked as a top firm for its Intellectual Property practice in the Chambers USA Guide released on June 6, 2024. In addition, partners Shannon Zmud Teicher and Brian Prewitt both ranked among the top intellectual property attorneys in Texas.
December 4, 2023
Newsletters
JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – December 2023
View Jackson Walker’s December 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
September 14, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates 35 Attorneys Named Among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
Jackson Walker announces the selection of 35 attorneys to Lawdragon’s 2024 list of the 500 leading litigators in America.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Practice Experience
Entertainment:
- Evaluate and negotiate celebrity talent agreements
- Protect and develop copyright, trademark, NIL and other intellectual property rights
- Merchandising, sponsorships, appearances, licensing and other monetization opportunities
- Prepublication review and fair use considerations
Marketing campaigns and promotions:
- Social media and endorsements, including disclosures
- Social media and regulatory compliance, including Federal Trade Commission (FTC), National Advertising Division (NAD) and other regulatory and self-regulatory organizations
- User-generated content, including Communications Decency Act (CDA) implications
- Fair use and copyright issues for images, videos and music, including Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) registration and take-downs
- Sweepstakes, contests and prize giveaways
- Charitable raffles and related marketing agreements
- Mobile, text and telemarketing issues, including Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) compliance
- Privacy issues, including Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) compliance
Intellectual property:
- Trademark search, registration, protection, licensing, cease and desist, and infringement matters
- Copyright registration, protection, licensing, cease and desist, and infringement matters
- Trade secret policies, protection and misappropriation matters
- Domain name acquisition, protection, cease and desist, and Uniform Domain Name Dispute (UDRP) matters
- Agreements to govern web and app activities, including Terms of Service (TOS), End User License Agreements (EULA), Privacy Policies, Security Policies, Subscription / Auto-renewal Agreements, and Distribution Agreements
- Agreements to govern independent contractor, employee and developer relationships, including work made for hire, non-disclosure, security, social media and confidentiality agreements
- Advice on compliance issues such as privacy and ADA accessibility
First Amendment:
- Defend defamation, libel, privacy and related claims
- Defend subpoenas in both criminal and civil courts
- Pursuing public records and enforcing open meeting laws
- Securing access to courtrooms
Representative Litigation:
- The Dallas Morning News Inc. and Steve Blow v. John Tatum and Mary Sue Tatum, 554 S.W.3d 614 (Tex. 2018) – Defended The Dallas Morning News against a defamation lawsuit, securing a dismissal from the Texas Supreme Court.
- TerraCORE Panels, LLC v. Stone Panels, LLC (N.D. Tex. 2016) – Represented Stone Panels in case involving claims of unfair competition and defamation. Aggressive defense strategy included cross-claims for copyright infringement. Case was favorably settled during discovery phase and included an agreed permanent injunction against TerraCORE enjoining use of Stone Panels’ copyrighted designs.
- Viewpoint Bank, N.A. v. PointBank (E.D. Tex. 2015) Represented Viewpoint Bank in a declaratory judgment action seeking a declaration of no trademark infringement (settled).
- Mike Leach v. Spaeth Communications, Inc. et. al., 455 S.W.3d 171 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2014, pet. denied) – Represented Spaeth Communications in an action filed by the former Texas Tech head football Coach Mike Leach. Leach was fired by the university after an investigation into allegations he mistreated a student athlete who had suffered a concussion. The events surrounding Leach’s dismissal received substantial media attention and he purportedly sued Spaeth Communications for its work on behalf of the student’s family. The Lubbock trial court granted summary judgment, dismissing Leach’s claims for defamation, tortious interference and conspiracy. The judgment was affirmed on appeal.
- FPX, LLC v. Google Inc. et al., 276 F.R.D. 543 (E.D. Tex. 2011) — Represented Google Inc., AOL LLC, YouTube LLC, Turner Broadcasting, MySpace, and Ask.com in two putative trademark class action lawsuits asserting that Google’s AdWords program violated federal trademark law in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. The Court denied the Plaintiffs’ motions to certify the classes.
- Classic Ink, Inc. v. American Needle, 2010 WL 4307632 (Jury Trial, N.D. Tex. 2010)— Defended American Needle in a case involving trademark infringement with regard to defunct sports team logos in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. Jury returned a mixed verdict finding trademark infringement, but not willfully and awarded zero damages.
Recognition & Accolades
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets – Texas, 2024
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2023-2025
- “Rising Star,” Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2007, 2009-2011, 2013-2019
Publications & Speeches
Publications
- “Avoiding Fashion Faux Pas: Factors to Consider When Drafting Agreements for Fashion Companies” (January 2022)
- “Cancel Culture and the Endless Stream of Subscriptions: A Discussion of Automatic Renewal Laws” (October 2021)
- “Two New Supreme Court Decisions Alter the Landscape for Litigating Copyright Infringement Cases” (March 2019)
- “First Amendment Watchdogs Warily Regard Passage of FOSTA” (April 2018)
- “Last Call: Your Q4 DMCA Agent Designation Reminder” (October 2017)
- “The Trump Administration Retweets and Retreats” (April 2017)
- “First Amendment Implications of Nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court” (February 2017)
Speaking Engagements
- “Negotiation Ethics: Winning Without Selling Your Soul,” TexasBarCLE Webcast (September 2024)
- “First Amendment and Free Speech: A Primer on the Cases We Should Know,” Dallas Bar Association’s Bench Bar Conference (April 2023)
- “Crafting the Key to the Courthouse: Evolving Standards and Strategies for Registering and Litigating Ownership of Copyright,” 2020 CSUSA Midwinter Meeting (February 2020)
- “FTC Endorsement and Influencer Guidelines and Best Practices,” Law x Style Summit, Dallas Bar Association’s Entertainment, Art & Sports Law Section (November 2019)
- Guest Lecturer, “Copyrights, Trademarks and Other IP: A Practical Guide for Businesses & Entrepreneurs,” Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business (September 2018)
- First Amendment Panel, Jackson Walker (January 2017)
- How Professional Journalists Separate Fake News From Facts, The Dallas Morning News (October 2017)
In the News
- Featured on WFAA-TV: “What Trumps SCOTUS pick means for Texas“
- Quoted in The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: “Texas Supreme Court Declines to Review Former Tech Coach Leach’s Appeal“
- Quoted in Law360: “Breitling Can’t Avoid Atty Fees in Fight with Petroleum News”
- Quoted in D Magazine Front Burner: “Attorney Shannon Zmud Invokes Journalists’ Shield Law For The First Time In Dallas County — And Wins”
Community Involvement
- Media Law Resource Center, Pre-Publication/Pre-Broadcast Committee, Past Chair
- American Bar Association – Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
- Media, Privacy and Advertising Law Committee, Vice Chair, 2016-2017
- Dallas Bar Association, Media Relations Committee, Past Chair
- Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court, Associate, 2008
- Texas Women’s Foundation, serves on Board of Directors 2020 – Present; serves as Chair of Investment Advisory Committee (2024 – Present)