Thomas & LoCicero’s practice is grounded in media and entertainment law.
Our goal is to defend the First Amendment rights of our clients, oppose libel, slander, and defamation claims, defend against invasion of privacy suits, and empower and protect our clients’ newsgathering efforts.
Every day, we champion free speech and vigorously defend the constitutional right of a free press.
As a result, media and entertainment clients, large and small, count on TLo to protect their rights.
Learn more about our deep experience in the practice areas below.
Thomas & LoCicero is one of the leading defamation defense firms in the United States, dedicated to safeguarding free speech and free press rights. With a wealth of experience, our defamation lawyers have successfully defended newspapers, television stations, websites, employers, corporations, and individual speakers in numerous defamation cases.
Learn more about our Defamation & Invasion of Privacy Defense practice
At TLo, we understand journalists' crucial role in uncovering vital information to report to the public. Unfortunately, despite their constitutional rights under the First Amendment, journalists often encounter obstacles when seeking government information.
Thomas & LoCicero provides pre-publication and pre-broadcast review of news stories for television and newspaper editors and reporters throughout Florida and across the country. We vet stories to identify legal risks and foster and encourage the highest quality journalism.
Learn more about our Pre-Publication & Pre-Broadcast Review practice
Thomas & LoCicero offers wide-ranging legal services tailored to the unique needs of the entertainment industry. With a keen understanding of the complex legal issues in this field, our attorneys provide expert guidance and advice to industry clients.
Representative Matters
Hentschel v. Pitts, McNicholas & Associates, Inc., National Public Radio, Inc., and Floodlight, Inc.
Hentschel v. Pitts, McNicholas & Associates, Inc., National Public Radio, Inc., and Floodlight, Inc., Case No. 24-CA-008705 (Fla. 13th Cir. Ct. July 17, 2025). Won dismissal with prejudice of defamation claims against National Public Radio, Inc. and Floodlight News by demonstrating that the allegedly statements were protected by the fair report privilege, were not false, and were not facially defamatory.
Reed v. Chamblee
Reed v. Chamblee, 2025 WL 1874638 (11th Cir. July 8, 2025). On behalf of several media defendants, secured affirmance of dismissal with prejudice of defamation claims brought by professional golfer because golfer did not and could not plead that the defendants published the allegedly defamatory statements with actual malice.
Dobrovolskaya v. Monarch Air Group, LLC
Dobrovolskaya v. Monarch Air Group, LLC, 2025 WL 733258 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 7, 2025). Agreeing with arguments made by Thomas & LoCicero attorneys, and applying both Florida and New York law, the District Court for the Southern District of New York recognized that a journalist’s notes, interviews, and other newsgathering materials are protected from discovery under the journalist’s privilege. Accordingly, the Court quashed a document subpoena directed to the journalist.