Attorneys & Professionals

Landis Best, Co-Chair of Cahill’s First Amendment & Media Litigation practice group, represents global corporations, multinational financial institutions, and leading media companies in litigation and appeals, as well as before government and regulatory bodies.

Landis’s practice covers a broad spectrum of commercial matters, including securities litigation, government investigations/regulatory/economic trade sanctions compliance, First Amendment/media litigation, intellectual property matters, and appellate work. Landis served as a senior leader of the legal team supporting the DOJ-appointed Monitor of Toyota Motor Corp. She was also part of the legal team that represented HSBC in a multi-year government investigation into allegations of Bank Secrecy Act and trade sanctions violations. Landis has represented or is currently representing the following companies and organizations: ABC, AIG, Arch, CBS, HSBC, Credit Suisse, Natixis, The New Yorker, The New York Times Company, The Motion Picture Association of America, Starr Global Holdings, Starwood, Time Warner Cable, and Zurich/Centre Group+, among others.

“Landis is diligent and responsive. She is everything you want in outside counsel.” – Chambers USA

A partner since 2001, Landis joined Cahill in 1995 after completing clerkships for the Honorable William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court; the Honorable N. Carlton Tilley, Jr. of the U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina; and the American Arbitrators, Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, The Hague, The Netherlands.

Landis is named as a top litigator by Chambers USA in Litigation: General Commercial, Media & Entertainment: First Amendment Litigation, and newly ranked in First Amendment Litigation. Clients note that she is “incredibly detail oriented”, “an amazing civil litigator who can handle large constitutional issues exceptionally well”, and “brilliant in this space.” Landis has been named among Forbes' 2026 Top Women Lawyers, recognized for litigation. She is also ranked as a 2026 Leading Lawyer and among the top ten First Amendment litigators in the country by Media Law International. Landis is also a Legal 500 recommended lawyer for general commercial litigation. Benchmark Litigation has consistently recognized Landis as one of the Top 250 Women in Litigation and as a Local Litigation Star in the United States. She is also listed in Lawdragon's 500 Leading Lawyers in America and 500 Leading Litigators in America guides. In 2022, Landis was named a Notable Diverse Leader in Law by Crain’s New York Business.

Landis is a former member of Cahill's Executive Committee and currently serves as a member, and previously served as chair, of the Firm's Women's Initiatives Committee. She is currently the chair of the Workplace Environment Committee.

Professional Activities:

Landis has been an active leader within the ABA's Section of Litigation and has held several leadership positions, including: Co-Chair of the First Amendment and Media Litigation Committee (2002-2006), Co-Managing Director (2011-2012), National Co-Chair of the Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (2015-2017), and Chair of the Attorney-Client Privilege Task Force (2018-2019). Landis also served on the ABA's Standing Committee on Amicus Curiae Briefs (2009-2010). Landis served as a member of the Rules Committee for the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York for over a decade.

Provided critical support regarding legal and strategy issues for the trial team that won a jury trial for a global bank in the Southern District of New York involving claims of a 16-bank global conspiracy to fix prices in the foreign exchange market in violation of the federal antitrust laws.
Represented Nikola Corporation founder Trevor Milton in securing the dismissal of a consolidated securities fraud action accusing him of exaggerating claims about the viability and status of the company's zero-emissions technology and products. The Cahill team was highlighted in The American Lawyer’s Litigation Daily for this success.
Represented global broker-dealer in securing favorable settlement of multi-year FINRA investigation into customer reserve, securities segregation, and customer record keeping requirements.
Serves as the day-to-day regulatory advisor for several global financial firms in the insurance industry on OFAC sanctions compliance.
Counsel to the independent, DOJ-appointed Monitor of Toyota Motor Corporation throughout a three-year monitorship focusing on automotive safety and the accuracy of Toyota’s public statements.
Representation of large global bank in a multi-year investigation by the Department of Justice, Office of Foreign Asset Controls, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Reserve Board, District Attorney's Office of New York, and the U.K. Financial Services Authority concerning various issues, including the bank's dollar clearing services and Bank Secrecy Act compliance; represented bank in a similar investigation launched by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
Representation of a major consumer lending company and certain former officers in a large and complex securities class action; defended company in five week jury trial tried to verdict.
Defended a national broadcasting company in a copyright infringement action involving a famous speech that presented novel questions concerning the 1909 Copyright Act and the First Amendment.
Defended a major cable company against a nationwide class action alleging novel claims under the privacy provisions of the Federal Cable Act to a successful resolution.
Represented a major communications company in challenges to Federal Communication Commission regulation and proceedings on First Amendment and other grounds.
Defended a reinsurance company in breach of contract and tort action, and prosecuted counterclaims to successful resolution.
Won dismissal of defamation claims brought by state court judge against a prominent cable company.
Secured reversals of contempt judgments against journalists and newspaper in federal appellate court regarding protection of confidential sources.
Representation of numerous media companies as amici and submission of briefs amicus curiae in the United States Supreme Court and appellate courts on issues of importance to the media industry.
Representation of scholars and experts in antitrust economics as amici curiae in Ohio American Express Co., 138 S. Ct. 2274 (2018).
Pro Bono representation on behalf of a class of New York City children against city and state agencies for violation of state and federal law with respect to social services provided to children in child welfare system; partnered with Children's Rights Inc. and litigated to successful settlement.

Landis C. Best