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Stagecoaches or newspapers? Jim Lake assesses issues in U.S. Supreme Court social media cases
In a Florida Law Review article, TLo’s Jim Lake examines the U.S. Supreme Court’s pending cases concerning Florida and Texas social media law, including labels the justices might apply. Using an analogy one justice recently borrowed from Benjamin Franklin, Lake writes that social media companies are less like stagecoaches and more like newspapers.
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Thomas & LoCicero Attorneys named as 2017 Florida Super Lawyers
Two-thirds of Thomas & LoCicero’s attorneys have been named “2017 Florida Super Lawyers” by legal publisher Thomson Reuters. More than two-thirds of Thomas & LoCicero’s attorneys have been named “2017 Florida Super Lawyers” by legal publisher Thomson Reuters. Gregg D. Thomas and Susan Tillotson Bunch have been named Super Lawyers in the area of media and advertising. Carol LoCicero and James…
Fake News vs. Real News – and how to tell the difference
Join the Tampa Bay Times, Politifact and WFTS who will talk about what you can do to identify where a story comes from, and what’s behind it. Sometimes the stories are made up, like “Pope Francis endorses Donald Trump.” Sometimes they’re politicians’ spin, like dueling claims of lawmakers in Tallahassee and Gov. Rick Scott over…
Another Win for Thomas & LoCicero for WPTV
On Wednesday afternoon a judge heard arguments on whether to make public the interview Austin Harrouff gave to the Dr. Phil Show. Ruling in favor of Thomas & LoCicero’s motion on behalf of WPTV, a court refused to seal an interview a criminal defendant gave Dr. Phil. Learn more at WPTV
Jim Lake comments on Madonna’s statement during historic Women’s March
Madonna’s comment about “blowing up the White House” is protected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Brandenburg incitement test, says Thomas & LoCicero lawyer Jim Lake, who was interviewed by television station WTSP. Click to read more from WTSP. “It’s certainly in poor taste, but I’d also say that it’s not something that any prosecutor could successfully go after Madonna for.”
Tampa Bay Times columnist commends Carol Locicero’s effort to give back to her community
Joe Henderson recently wrote about Carol Locicero’s effort to help the Tampa chapter of the program End 68 Hours of Hunger. He says “if there is a better example of a kind and caring human being, I have yet to meet that person.” “She will be the first to tell you, though, that there are a lot of…
Politico cites Carol Locicero in embattled Bill to force websites to shutdown that defy expungement law
Everything in that subsection offends the First Amendment of the United States Constitution First Amendment advocates are criticizing a bill that makes it illegal to publish information or photos of someone whose criminal record has been expunged. Politico Florida reached out to Carol Locicero who stated that the bill “is so blatantly unconstitutional that it’s a waste of taxpayer…
Florida Bar Journal Credits Mark Caramanica and Carol LoCicero
Unlike many states, Florida’s version does not contain any special burden shifting, burden of proof, motion to strike, or discovery provisions to help flesh out the details of SLAPP dismissals. Further, as noted, there have been limited opportunities for Florida courts to weigh in on the earlier narrow law. Mark Caramanica and Carol LoCicero have been cited in Samuel…
TLo publishes article concerning online ratings defamation claims
Review and rating websites are largely protected from liability under the Communications Decency Act. James McGuire, Deanna Shullman and Allison Simpson have co-written an article in the ABA quarterly journal, “Communications Lawyer,” assessing how courts view defamation claims based upon online rating websites. Read more from the American Bar
Jim McGuire Comments on Policy Governing City Workers Who Speak To The Media
Jim McGuire recently commented on the rules that recently changed about how St. Petersburg employees can interact with the media. It was an expansion of an existing policy created a decade ago and had no punitive language. “The reality is they don’t want people to say anything against the picture they’re trying to paint.” Click here…
Latest Updates: TLo Represents News Media Seeking Access to 911 Calls from Mass Shooting At Orlando Pulse Club
In the aftermath of the horrific mass shooting at the Pulse club in Orlando, questions are swirling about the shooter, his motivations, and the 911 calls during the attack. In the aftermath of the horrific mass shooting at the Pulse club in Orlando, questions are swirling about the shooter, his motivations, and the 911 calls during…
Carol LoCicero Talks About End 68 Hours of Hunger
Carol LoCicero discusses the End 68 Hours of Hunger, a private, not-for-profit, effort to confront the approximately 68 hours of hunger that some school children experience between the free lunch they receive in school Friday and the free breakfast they receive in school Monday. Click here to view the video
US District Judge Remands Pulse Shooting Case to State Court
The case is remanded to the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. A judge has rejected government efforts to have a federal court decide a case concerning access to recordings of 911 calls about the Pulse shooting in Orlando. The Associated Press and 26 other news organizations sued the City of Orlando in state…
TLo Announces Membership in NAMWOLF
The National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms Thomas & LoCicero is pleased to announce its membership in The National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms, NAMWOLF. NAMWOLF is a non-profit trade association serving those public entities interested in diversifying their outside law firm portfolios and has been successful in providing…
Allison Simpson Joins Tampa Office As Associate
TLo’s Latest Addition to the Firm Allison Kirkwood Simpson has joined Thomas & LoCicero as an associate in the firm’s Tampa office. Simpson is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Florida Levin College of Law. She is a former law clerk to U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew. Simpson practices media law,…