Firm Overview
For over 30 years, The Maneke Law Group, led by Jean Maneke, has counseled clients in regard to media and entertainment law issues in Missouri. Known for its work with authors, publishers, and creatives, the firm has assisted with publishing contracts, copyright and trademark applications, and advertising agreements, in addition to defending media in privacy and libel cases.
The firm also specializes in pre-publication reviews, helping authors and publishers provide the assurance insurance companies seek before they will insure such products. The Maneke Law Group is recognized by industry professionals and insurance companies. We frequently represent clients in Missouri courts and serve as advocates on impactful media cases at the appellate level.
Our Key Areas of Focus:
Publishing contracts and pre-publication clearances
Copyright and trademark applications
Advertising contracts and compliance
Media defense in privacy and libel cases
General business matters for creatives
Access to public records and transparency issues
Jean Maneke
Jean Maneke has been practicing media, publishing and entertainment law for more than 30 years. In addition to her work for individual clients, she formerly served as counsel to the Missouri Press Association and other private corporate media entities.
Ms. Maneke has been “AV Preeminent” rated by Martindale-Hubbell, a peer-review lawyer-rating organization for many years. That rating is the highest rating a lawyer can receive from this organization. She also has been recognized within Missouri since 2006 as being among the Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of First Amendment Law and Litigation-First Amendment.
Formerly a journalist, she worked as a reporter for several newspapers and magazines, most notably having served as a reporter and legal columnist for the Kansas City Times, morning edition predecessor to the current Kansas City Star.
She has counseled newspapers, magazines, broadcasters, book publishers, web site designers, authors, photographers, film and video producers, and recording artists both in Kansas City and across the country in the areas of libel, privacy, and copyright issues. In addition, she is a frequent speaker at seminars relating to these subjects and frequently serves as a expert source for stories published on industry issues.
She has assisted in drafting many of the provisions in Missouri’s Sunshine Law (The Open Meetings/Open Records Law) since the 1990s and is also a frequent lecturer on this topic. She was named to the Best of the Bar among Kansas City’s lawyers in 2009 by the Kansas City Business Journal.
Missouri Lawyers Media presented Ms. Maneke a Womens’ Justice Award in the General Practitioner category in 2018 for her long history of media representation. She was also recognized by that publishing company in 2023 and 2024 in its Power List of Sports and Entertainment Lawyers for her work in the industry.
Publications
Ms. Maneke has written for years about subjects of interest to journalists and a number of those articles are indexed on the Missouri Press Association’s website.
She maintains a LinkedIn Profile and a Facebook page. She has been a contributor to the Missouri Bar Media Law Handbook and the Journal of the Missouri Bar and its podcast series, all of which are available on the Internet for further consideration.