Carol Jean LoCicero

Primary Practices

Education

  • JD, University of Florida, 1986, with honors
  • BA, Troy State University, 1983, magna cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • Florida
  • Middle District of Florida
  • Southern District of Florida
  • Northern District of Florida
  • 9th Circuit
  • 11th Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

 

Recognitions

Carol is the managing partner in TLo's Tampa office. She practices at the trial and appellate levels, handling litigation concerning defamation and privacy, the Public Records Act, the Government in the Sunshine Law, court access and cameras in the courtroom. She leads advocacy efforts on media issues, including cameras in the courtroom, and sealed court records.

Our job, whether we’re working with a publisher or a marketing department, is to facilitate our client’s ability to protect and defend their news stories, books, movies and promotional efforts. It’s a privilege to work with sophisticated clients that are passionate about informing the public.

Carol is a nationally-recognized media lawyer routinely sought after as a speaker on media issues at national and statewide conferences. She often leads statewide advocacy efforts on media issues, most recently involving access to Florida courts and Florida’s anti-SLAPP law. Carol regularly renders pre-and post-publication advice on investigative news stories. She handles issues concerning newsgathering and technology – including smartphones, social media and drones. Carol has litigated many cases resulting in published opinions. In addition to media law, Carol is experienced in marketing law, web law and intellectual property matters. She manages trademark portfolios, policing programs and litigation for sophisticated corporations. 

Carol is the Immediate Past Chair for the First Amendment Foundation's Board of Trustees.  She is a former board member of the Junior League of Tampa, former vice-chair of the Media Law Committee of The Florida Bar, and is a governing committee member of the ABA Forum on Communications Law. She has litigated capital habeas cases with other lawyers in the firm. Carol also serves as the Program Coordinator for End 68 Hours of Hunger – Tampa, a charity dedicated to eradicating hunger among school children. She is an active member of Hyde Park Presbyterian Church.

  • Zimmerman v. Fulton et al. (Fla. 2d Jud. Cir. 2022): Obtained a dismissal with prejudice of a libel suit brought by George Zimmerman against Ben Crump and HarperCollins Publishing arising out of Mr. Crump’s book "Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People."
  • Gary Marder, et al. v. TEGNA Inc., et al., No. 19-81283-CIV-SMITH, 2020 WL 3496447 (S.D. Fla. June 29, 2020). Won dismissal of defamation claims against TEGNA, Gannett Co., Inc. and News Corp. brought by a South Florida physician seeking over $200 million in damages.

  • State of Florida v. Dylan Christopher Farley (Fla. Cir. Ct. 2019).  On behalf of the (Fort Myers) News-Press, obtained order vacating prior order restricting news media from photographing, filming, recording or subsequently publishing images of participants in drug court proceedings without their prior consent.

  • Nix & DNA Sports Performance Lab, Inc., v. ESPN, Inc., et al. (S.D. Fla. 2018), aff’d (11th Cir. 2019) Obtained dismissal of a libel action against the Associated Press, ESPN and USA Today concerning an article about litigation that a former professional baseball player and his company brought against Major League Baseball. Order granting motion to dismiss affirmed on appeal.

  • Folta v. The New York Times Company, et al., No. 1:17-cv-256-MW/GRJ, 2019 WL 486776 (N.D. Fla. Feb. 27, 2019), appeal dismissed, No. 19-10988-HH (11th Cir. Apr. 9, 2019).  Obtained summary judgment for The New York Times and journalist Eric Lipton in defamation case involving news story profiling relationships between public university professors and the biotechnology and organic food industries concerning the safety and regulation of G.M.O. food products.   

  • Spectrum Video Productions, Inc. v. Charter Communications, Inc., et al., Case No. 8:17cv1909-SDM-TBM (M.D. Fla. 2017).  Represented television and video production company in trademark infringement action against national cable television company. 

  • NCAA v. Associated Press, 18 So. 3d 1201 (Fla. 1st DCA 2009). Successfully litigated Florida Public Records Act case against Florida State University and the NCAA for access to documents related to a cheating scandal at the University.

  • Fla. Stat. § 768.295 (Florida’s anti-SLAPP law). Testified before legislative committees, and analyzed, participated in drafting, and helped organize efforts to pass Florida’s broadened anti-SLAPP law.
  • Remote Access to Court Records. For nearly a decade, led national and statewide media coalitions advocating for remote access to Florida court records; many Florida counties are now moving from remote access pilot programs to full production.
  • Served as lead counsel litigating access to court records in many high profile cases including the murder of toddler Bradley McGee, and the criminal prosecution of triple-murderer Oba Chandler.
  • Supervises large trademark portfolios for high-profile businesses and manages their policing programs and trademark litigation.
  • Lead Facilitator, Access & Newsgathering Panel, Forum on Communications Law, American Bar Association (2014-16).
  • Speaker, When FERPA and the First Amendment Clash on Campus – Lessons Learned from AP v. NCAA, Media & The Law Conference (2011).
  • Prepublication/Prebroadcast Panelist, New Legal Visions For The Evolving Media World, NAA/NAB/MLRC Media Law Conference, Media Law Resource Center (2008).
  • End 68 Hours of Hunger, founder Tampa chapter and volunteer
  • Junior League, sustaining member and former board member and legal advisor
  • First Amendment Foundation, past chair and current board member on executive committee
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