The Authors Guild Welcomes Kevin R. Amer as Chief Legal Officer

NEW YORK, N.Y., August 2, 2023—The Authors Guild, the oldest and largest professional organization for published writers in the United States, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin R. Amer as its new chief legal officer. Amer brings a wealth of experience in copyright law and policy, making him an invaluable addition to the Guild’s leadership team.

In his new role, Amer will be at the forefront of the Authors Guild’s legal endeavors to protect the rights of authors and the future of the writing profession. He will oversee the Guild’s copyright-related matters and will work closely with the CEO and director of advocacy and policy to devise and implement effective legal strategies. Amer will assume a key leadership role in litigation and legislative efforts, with a particular focus initially on the Guild’s work to develop guardrails to protect writers and the creative professions in general in the age of generative AI. His expertise will play a crucial role in navigating the complex landscape of this technology, ensuring that the interests of authors are protected, and their rights are respected in the evolving digital age.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin R. Amer to the Authors Guild as our chief legal officer,” said Mary Rasenberger, CEO of the Authors Guild. “Amer’s deep understanding of copyright law and his extensive experience in policy development and advocacy will be instrumental in advancing the interests of authors and protecting their rights in an increasingly complex legal landscape.”

Amer joins the Authors Guild after a distinguished career in the legal field, including senior roles at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the U.S. Copyright Office. As the director of the copyright policy team at the USPTO, Amer led a team of attorneys and staff, providing expert advice on domestic and international copyright issues to USPTO leadership, federal agencies, and congressional staff. He also represented the USPTO in meetings with stakeholder organizations and played a crucial role in developing the government’s position in copyright litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court.

During his tenure at the U.S. Copyright Office, Amer served in various capacities, including acting general counsel, deputy general counsel, and senior counsel for Policy and International Affairs. He managed a team of attorneys and staff, advised congressional staff and federal agencies on copyright law and policy, and represented the Copyright Office in meetings with stakeholders. Amer’s expertise extended to international negotiations on free trade agreements and contributions to policy studies and reports requested by Congress.

In addition to his government experience, Amer has also been an adjunct professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, teaching a course on intellectual property law. Prior to that, he practiced law at renowned firms, including Goldstein & Russell, P.C., and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.

Amer holds a JD from Yale Law School and an AB in history and literature from Harvard University.