Richard N. Winfield, a prominent attorney specializing in First Amendment rights in the United States, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91. Winfield, known for his unwavering commitment to advocating for freedom of the press, spent an extraordinary three decades representing The Associated Press (AP). His daughter, Nicole Winfield, who is a correspondent for AP based in Rome, confirmed the news of his passing at Bellevue Hospital in New York.
During his tenure as general counsel at AP, which was housed in the law firm Roger & Wells (later known as Clifford Chance US LLP), Winfield collaborated extensively with numerous American publishers and editors. He played a vital role in defending not only the AP but also various other media clients in numerous cases related to press freedom. Louis D. Boccardi, who led AP from 1985 to 2003, remarked on Winfield’s participatory nature in reviewing sensitive stories, frequently exclaiming, “What a great story!” This enthusiasm underscored his dedication to safeguarding journalistic integrity and the extensive effort put into producing news reports.
Following his retirement, Winfield became one of the founding directors of the International Senior Lawyers Project, a non-profit organization focused on providing pro bono legal advice to foster the rule of law and promote accountable, inclusive economic growth globally. His volunteer work promoting freedom of expression spanned over 20 countries, including initiatives in many former Soviet bloc nations. He was instrumental in training judges and attorneys from Albania to Zimbabwe on freedom of expression issues and monitored media defamation cases abroad as a court observer.
Karen Kaiser, the senior vice president and general counsel at AP, praised Winfield as a significant advocate for First Amendment rights, noting the far-reaching impact of his efforts to protect journalists worldwide. She emphasized Winfield’s foundational role in establishing legal protections for journalism across the country, as well as his warm and mentoring nature toward aspiring legal professionals.
An educator as well as a lawyer, Winfield imparted knowledge about media law at New York City’s Columbia and Fordham law schools. Born on January 20, 1933, in Chicago, he was raised in Valley Stream, Long Island. He was the eldest son of Richard Paul Winfield and Mary Bertrand Monaghan Winfield. His academic journey included graduating from Villanova University in 1955, followed by service as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy until 1959, where he taught diplomatic history at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. He received his law degree from Georgetown University in 1961, shortly after marrying Deborah Mary Trainer from Philadelphia.
Winfield’s legal career began as an associate at Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine in New York City, advancing to serve as assistant counsel under Governor Nelson Rockefeller in Albany, N.Y., from 1965 to 1967. Upon his return to New York City, he began representing AP after William P. Rogers, the cooperative’s lawyer at Roger & Wells, was appointed to serve as secretary of state in the Nixon administration in 1969.
As part of his work with the International Senior Lawyers Project, Winfield established and led a media law working group dedicated to providing legal support for journalists facing defamation challenges, monitoring trials, and advocating for reforms in local media legislation. His efforts led ISLP to intervene in numerous high-profile defamation cases across national and international courts, using arguments based on international human rights laws, which aided in securing the acquittals of numerous journalists and bloggers facing legal trouble.
ISLP’s work garnered international recognition, and in 2021, UNESCO highlighted the organization’s involvement in a case involving a Palestinian human rights defender, showcasing its advocacy for freedom of expression. Winfield also actively participated in monitoring trials for those accused in mass protests, condemning the lack of fairness and impartiality he observed during a 2019 appeal trial in Morocco.
Upon his retirement from the International Senior Lawyers Project in 2023, Winfield’s legacy was honored by renaming the media law working group to “The Winfield Freedom of Expression Initiative.” His contributions extended beyond law, holding leadership roles in various organizations advocating for press freedom and receiving accolades like the First Amendment Award from the Deadline Club in 2002 and the Global Pro Bono Visionary Award from ISLP in 2015.
Winfield was inspired by Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo’s assertion that freedom of expression serves as a crucial foundation for all other freedoms, a sentiment he echoed in the title of his 2012 book, “Exporting the Matrix: The Campaign to Reform Media Laws Abroad.” This publication delved into notable freedom of expression cases that emerged from the Arab Spring, featuring insights from legal experts and advocates.
He is survived by his wife Deborah, three children—Richard Neill Winfield Jr., Pamela Winfield, and Nicole Winfield—their spouses, seven grandchildren, and his sister, Denise Mack. Plans for a private funeral service are in place, and in lieu of flowers, contributions can be directed to the Cranaleith Spiritual Center in Philadelphia or the International Senior Lawyers Project in New York.