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Thomas & LoCicero PL Ranked Among Top Intellectual Property Firms in Tampa Bay

Thomas & LoCicero PL is proud to announce that the firm has been named on the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Largest Intellectual Property Attorneys list, featured in the May 1, 2026 issue. This recognition reflects the firm’s continued commitment to delivering exceptional intellectual property counsel to clients across the Tampa Bay region and beyond. Being…

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Civil Rights Commission Violated Baker’s First Amendment Right to Freedom of Religion

A state commission that ordered a baker to prepare wedding cakes for gay couples violated the baker’s First Amendment right to freedom of religion, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled. The government must not base laws, regulations or decisions on hostility to a religion or religious viewpoint, the Court explained. In baker Jack Phillips’ case, the…

Thomas & LoCicero Hires Two Summer Law Clerks

Summer Law Clerks Join Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa Offices of Thomas & LoCicero Jacob C. Elberg and Minch Minchin have joined Thomas & LoCicero as Summer Law Clerks. A rising third year law school student at the University of Kansas School of Law, Mr. Elberg formerly served as a Judicial Intern for The Honorable Freda L.…

“Disparaging” Trademarks – The Supreme Court May Take Up a Difficult Conflict Between Trademark Law and The First Amendment

In 2014, in a widely reported decision, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office canceled several trademark registrations owned by the Washington Redskins because the term “Redskins” is disparaging of Native Americans.  But last year, the Federal Circuit ruled that Section 2(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1052(a), which prohibits registration of “scandalous, immoral,…

“Revenge Porn” Law Ruled to be Unconstitutional

A Texas appeals court finds that a state statute is unconstitutional and extremely broad. An appeals court has struck down a “revenge porn” statute as unconstitutional and overly broad. So-called “revenge porn” laws are intended to prohibit use of intimate photographs to cause embarrassment. Although in some circumstances sharing such photos might support a civil…

Are Some Speakers More Equal Than Others?

Are First Amendment rights of free speech and free press contingent rights, available only to those who qualify as members of ‘the press?’ In Maethner v. Someplace Safe, Inc., the Minnesota Court of Appeals recently held that a defamation plaintiff could recover presumed damages without having to prove actual malice (i.e., that the defendant knew his statement…

TLo Partners Serve as Panelists for Technology, Media & Privacy Law Conference

Two partners with Thomas & LoCicero will be serving as panelists in an upcoming conference this Friday, April 20th in Gainesville, FL Two partners with Thomas & LoCicero will be serving as panelists in an upcoming conference this Friday, April 20th in Gainesville, FL.  Carol Jean LoCicero and Mark R. Caramanica will be presenting at the Technology, Media &…

Judge Rules Release of Additional Video Recordings in Parkland Mass Shooting

After ordering the release of video from exterior cameras captured during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Judge Jeffrey Levenson has now ruled in favor of release of additional videos. FORT LAUDERDALE—Today, Florida Circuit Judge Jeffrey R. Levenson granting a petition by a coalition of news media parties represented by…

What the First Amendment protects – and what it doesn’t

Over the last couple of years, people have again found their voices and taken to the streets to protest…what exactly does the First Amendment protect and permit? Over the last couple of years, people have again found their voices and taken to the streets to protest through organizations like Black Lives Matter, the Women’s March,…

What’s Gone Wrong with Social Media & What Can We Do About It?

Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy published an article advocating for transparency by social media platforms. By Susan Tillotson Bunch Last week, Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy published an article (Harvard Kennedy School Article March 27, 2018) advocating for transparency by social media platforms in…

Judge Orders Release of Exterior Video Recordings in Parkland Mass School Shooting

Video exterior cameras captured during last month’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland must be made public, Florida Circuit Judge Jeffrey R. Levenson has concluded. FORT LAUDERDALE – Video exterior cameras captured during last month’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland must be made public, Florida Circuit Judge…

Good Cause Petition Filed to Obtain Access to Exterior Video Recordings in Parkland School Shooting

A legal team from Thomas & LoCicero law firm filed a good cause petition this morning to obtain access to video recordings taken by exterior cameras at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — A legal team from Thomas & LoCicero law firm filed a good cause petition this morning on behalf of CNN,…

Copyright claims dismissed against university on immunity grounds

The University of South Florida has prevailed on a motion to dismiss a copyright infringement case involving the Affordable Care Act. The University of South Florida has prevailed on a motion to dismiss a copyright infringement case involving the Affordable Care Act. The lawsuit concerned a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services logo promoting Affordable Care…

Carol LoCicero honored as Lightning Community Hero

Already well known as a skilled lawyer and champion of First Amendment rights and open government, Carol LoCicero now has another honor: community hero. The National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning praised Carol as a “Lightning Community Hero” for her work with End 68 Hours of Hunger. The charity’s name refers to the time between…

Thomas & LoCicero’s Mark Caramanica named to Advisory Council for the University of Florida’s Department of Journalism

Advisory Council members comprise a broad range of media professionals who work with and advise faculty and students on current issues within the media environment. Mark Caramanica, a partner in the firm’s Tampa office, has been appointed to the Department of Journalism’s Advisory Council at the University of Florida. Advisory Council members comprise a broad range of…