Comic Book Legal Defense Fund board member Dale Cendali was tagged as one of the "Top 25 Most Powerful Entertainment Lawyers in New York" in a recent piece by The Hollywood Reporter.  To choose attorneys for its list, THR consulted "industry peers and other entertainment stakeholders," focusing on the prominence of the attorneys' clients and the significance of their cases.

THR cited a recent precedent-setting ruling involving the depiction of Lebron James' tattoos in a video game, and Cendali's representation of the late William Styron, author of Sophie’s Choice, in a lawsuit over stage rights to the book in explaining her choice for the list.

Cendali is an intellectual property litigator, a partner, and Head of the Copyright, Trademark, Internet and Advertising Practice Group at global top ten law firm Kirkland and Ellis.

Cendali joined the CBLDF board in 2010 (see "Dale Cendali Joins Board"), and became the organization’s Secretary shortly thereafter. Other members of the CBLDF board of directors include DCBS and Lunar Distribution Co-Founder Christina Merkler, the Fund's President; Geppi Family Enterprises chief Sales & Service Officer Chris Powell, CBLDF Vice President; writer and artist Gene Luen Yang; former DC Comics executive Bob Wayne; and comic retailer Jen King.

The CBLDF is moving in new directions in an era of unprecedented challenges to free speech (see "CBLDF Pivoting in Era of Free Speech Battles").