Beth Soja has practiced media and First Amendment law in both private firm and nonprofit settings, where she has advised many types of media outlets, businesses and journalists. She has co-authored amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs in courts around the country, including the United States Supreme Court. She has experience with pre-publication review, libel litigation, copyright matters, and reporter’s privilege. Beth’s work with SMVT often focuses on government transparency and freedom of information, especially the North Carolina open meetings and public records laws.

In addition to media and open government law, Beth is passionate about the right of all children — especially those with learning differences — to receive a free and appropriate public education. She serves on the boards of directors for both the North Carolina chapter of the International Dyslexia Association and Decoding Dyslexia NC, and she volunteers her time as a pro bono attorney with the Council for Children’s Rights in Charlotte.

Prior to joining SMVT, Beth enjoyed teaching “Media Law in the Digital Age” as an adjunct lecturer at Georgetown University during her time in Washington, D.C. Before entering private practice, she spent a year as a libel and privacy fellow at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. While in law school at UNC, she served as an articles and notes editor for the First Amendment Law Review and worked as an intern reporter for the Legal Times (now The National Law Journal).

Beth lives in Charlotte with her husband Brian and their three children.