Elizabeth Spainhour represents media, communications, and technology companies in a variety of regulatory and business matters. She also provides counsel to businesses on key issues involving privacy, digital marketing, and the rapidly changing digital environment. Elizabeth is a Board Certified Specialist in Privacy and Information Security Law from the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization.
With a focus on companies in the media and technology industries, Elizabeth provides comprehensive advice and strategic counsel related to mergers and acquisitions and regulatory matters involving these businesses.
She has significant experience advising television and radio stations as well as digital and online businesses. Her recent transactions include the following:
Elizabeth’s extensive experience includes representing broadcast media clients before the Federal Communications Commission. She regularly counsels clients on the full gamut of FCC regulatory issues, including political, EEO, children’s programming, contests and promotions, ownership, licensing and renewals, and online public file requirements. She routinely assists clients with critical business contracts such as network affiliation agreements.
Elizabeth frequently works with digital media companies and other online businesses to provide advice and strategic counsel on privacy matters of concern. She works with clients to assess data collection and use practices and to craft responsive privacy policies.
Elizabeth is a member of the Privacy and Information Security Law Specialization Committee of the North Carolina State Bar. She was one of the first attorneys in the state to receive this specialization when it launched in 2018. She also served as founding chairperson of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Privacy and Data Security Committee and is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US).
Recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) as a “Rising Star” in Communications (2011-2015)
Member, Umstead Act Unfair Competition Panel (2019-Present)
Co-Chair, Carolinas Chapter, Federal Communications Bar Association (2010-2014)
Member, Federal Communications Bar Association
Member, International Association of Privacy Professionals
Member, Carolina Privacy Officials Network
Member, American Bar Association
Member, North Carolina Bar Association
Member and Past Chair, Privacy and Data Security Committee, North Carolina Bar Association (2017-present)
Secretary, Treasurer, Section Council, Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section, North Carolina Bar Association (2007-2014)
Member, Wake County Bar Association
Volunteer Attorney, Legal Aid of North Carolina Lawyer on the Line Program (2013 - present)
Guardian ad Litem, Wake County, NC (2006-2009)
Co-presenter (with Sue Young), "Managing Risk in Contract Drafting and Negotiation," Association of Corporate Counsel CLE, Raleigh, NC, December 2018
Contributor, Brooks Pierce's Digital Media and Data Privacy Blog
Presenter, The Digital Marketer’s Legal Playlist: Greatest Hits, Internet Summit 2014, November 2014
Presenter, "License Renewal in Broadcast: What To Do Now," Knowledge Congress Legal Series, November 2012
I am a native of Concord, NC, in the Piedmont area of the state, but I found my home in the Triangle area in 2000. I enjoy being a lawyer because I view it fundamentally as a helping profession. I am proud to work with broadcasters and the news media in particular because of the important role they play in our democracy. When I’m not working with clients, I like to spend time with family and friends and on foot outdoors in the mountains, on the coast, or on Raleigh’s greenway system.
