David Ervin
Overview
Advertisers, broadcasters and publishers trust David Ervin to structure deals and protect their brands and content in a competitive market where technology continues to transform the media and marketing landscape. Leveraging nearly 30 years of transactional and litigation experience – uniquely focused on the intersection of advertising and intellectual property law – he is known for providing comprehensive advice that is both practical and reliable and his effective and thoughtful advocacy.
Career & Education
- Government Accountability Office
Office of the General Counsel, 1991
- Government Accountability Office
- American University, B.A., cum laude with university honors, international relations, 1989
- American University Washington College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1992
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
David is amazing. He is super helpful and knows the law off the top of his head.
— Chambers USA
David's Insights
Firm News | 9 min read | 08.21.25
Washington – August 21, 2025: The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized 43 Crowell & Moring lawyers as Best Lawyers and 31 lawyers as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. The publication also named partner Jason Murray as Lawyer of the Year for Antitrust Law in Los Angeles.
Client Alert | 3 min read | 07.28.25
Fundamental Copyright Principles Underscored in AI Context: Voice Attributes Are Not Protectable
Client Alert | 4 min read | 07.02.25
Representative Matters
- Represented financial services, alcoholic beverage, quick-service restaurant and travel companies in successful negotiation of advertising agency agreements with variety of agency holding companies.
- Represented leading apparel, appliance and retail brands in successful negotiation of variety of celebrity endorsement, brand ambassador and talent agreements.
- Advised automotive, audio products and retail companies in connection with the launch of consumer loyalty and rewards programs.
- Represented global hospitality company in successful negotiation of sports sponsorship and marketing agreements with the NFL, Formula 1 racing team and English Premier League soccer team.
- Represent commercial broadcasters in copyright royalty proceedings including In re Distribution of Cable Royalty Funds, No. 16-CRB-0009 CD (2014-17) involving distribution of cable television royalties in excess of $800 million
- Successfully represented global hospitality company in trademark infringement and false advertising counterclaims against online travel agency in USDC-ED Texas
David's Insights
Firm News | 9 min read | 08.21.25
Washington – August 21, 2025: The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized 43 Crowell & Moring lawyers as Best Lawyers and 31 lawyers as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. The publication also named partner Jason Murray as Lawyer of the Year for Antitrust Law in Los Angeles.
Client Alert | 3 min read | 07.28.25
Fundamental Copyright Principles Underscored in AI Context: Voice Attributes Are Not Protectable
Client Alert | 4 min read | 07.02.25
Recognition
- Chambers USA: Advertising: Transactional and Regulatory – Nationwide (Band 3), 2021–2025
- Super Lawyers: Washington, D.C. Advertising Law, 2025
- Legal 500: Media, Technology and Telecoms: Advertising and Marketing: Transactional & Regulatory, 2020–2025
- Legal 500: Media, Technology and Telecoms: Advertising and Marketing: Litigation, 2020–2025
- The Best Lawyers in America: Advertising Law, 2018–2025
David's Insights
Firm News | 9 min read | 08.21.25
Washington – August 21, 2025: The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized 43 Crowell & Moring lawyers as Best Lawyers and 31 lawyers as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. The publication also named partner Jason Murray as Lawyer of the Year for Antitrust Law in Los Angeles.
Client Alert | 3 min read | 07.28.25
Fundamental Copyright Principles Underscored in AI Context: Voice Attributes Are Not Protectable
Client Alert | 4 min read | 07.02.25
Insights
Copyright: The Contours of Copyright Law in the Age of AI Are Just Coming Into Focus
|01.10.24
Litigation Forecast 2024
Copyright in the Metaverse: What Advertisers Need to Know
|05.24.23
Retail in the Metaverse and Beyond
The CASE Act Of 2020: New Board To Provide Low-Cost Resolution Of Copyright Small Claims
|06.08.21
Intellectual Property & Technology Law Journal
Stalking Social Media: The Rise in Counterfeit Products and Intellectual Property Concerns
|10.04.19
FashionUnited
Thomson Reuters Names 16 Crowell Lawyers as “Stand-out Lawyers”
|03.07.23
Make a Deal Like Mike – Michael Jordan Settles Two Right of Publicity Lawsuits
|11.24.15
Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
False-and-Misleading-Gram – FDA Issues Warning Letter Based on Kim Kardashian's Instagram Selfie
|08.18.15
Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
Practices
- Advertising and Brand Protection
- Digital Advertising
- Trademark Counseling and Litigation
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Emerging Companies and Venture Capital
- False Advertising Disputes and Litigation
- Technology Transactions
- Brand Protection
- Copyright Counseling and Litigation
- Advertising Transactions and Agreements
- Global Advertising and Media
- Artificial Intelligence
- Financial Services Regulatory and Enforcement
- Health Care
- Internet of Things (IoT)
David's Insights
Firm News | 9 min read | 08.21.25
Washington – August 21, 2025: The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized 43 Crowell & Moring lawyers as Best Lawyers and 31 lawyers as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. The publication also named partner Jason Murray as Lawyer of the Year for Antitrust Law in Los Angeles.
Client Alert | 3 min read | 07.28.25
Fundamental Copyright Principles Underscored in AI Context: Voice Attributes Are Not Protectable
Client Alert | 4 min read | 07.02.25