I have devoted my entire professional life to ensuring the free flow of information to the public and defending free speech, both as a working journalist and as a lawyer. I can think of few greater callings.
About Karen
Karen is a former television reporter and editor in both major- and mid-sized markets who regularly advises media clients on libel, news gathering, reporter’s privilege, access, public records, and privacy matters. On behalf of those clients Karen has litigated to a successful conclusion numerous libel and other news gathering claims, and opened the court proceedings and records in many high-profile cases, including the child abuse prosecution of Carmen and Jorge Barahona, the child custody battle between tennis champion Boris Becker and his estranged wife, the domestic violence prosecution of then-Miami Mayor Joe Carollo, the murder of Jimmy Ryce, the jury tampering trial of the jury foreman in the Willie Falcon/Sal Magluta (the “Cocaine Cowboys”) prosecution, the judicial corruption prosecution known as Operation Court Broom, the trial of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, and the William Kennedy Smith rape trial, among others. Karen also has argued before the Florida Supreme Court on public records matters. Her clients have included WPLG, Inc., BH Media Group, Inc., Graham Media Group (f/k/a Post-Newsweek), Fort Myers Broadcasting Company, Gulfshore Business, Gulfshore Life, CBS, NBC, Telemundo, the BBC, and an international financial news network.
Karen also serves as an expert witness on the reasonableness of attorneys’ fees in libel and related matters for national and international news organizations, and on behalf of individual libel defendants.
Karen also practices in the area of complex commercial litigation in both federal and state court, and has litigated a variety of complex contract, tort and other commercial matters to a successful conclusion.
She is a 1988 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School where she served as Articles Editor of the University of Chicago Legal Forum. Before attending law school, Karen worked on the assignment desk at WLS-TV, the ABC-owned-and-operated station in Chicago, and was a writer and producer at Chicago’s WIND Radio, then owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting, and WCFL, then owned by Mutual News. She also has been a reporter for various other television stations, radio stations and newspapers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Huntington, West Virginia.
In 1979 Karen received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, and in 1980 a Master of Science degree in journalism, from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
Karen is a past chair of The Florida Bar’s Media & Communications Law Committee, created a program to educate judges about media law issues and regularly appears on panels discussing such issues, including those sponsored by the Media Law Resource Center. In May 2019 she served as faculty on access issues for the College Of Advanced Judicial Studies for Florida state court judges. She also has spoken on media law issues to the National Association of Hispanic Journalists as well as a meeting of free-lance journalists sponsored by the Media Law Resource Center.
Karen is a member of the Florida bar, as well as the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. She mentors at-risk young women as a member of the Women of Tomorrow Mentoring and Scholarship Program, and also is a volunteer driver with the American Cancer Society’s Road To Recovery program. A long-time figure skater, Karen is a past president of the Miami Figure Skating Club (a member of U.S. Figure Skating, the governing body for figure skating in the United States), and has judged U.S. Figure Skating’s “Learn To Skate USA” competitions.
JD, The University of Chicago Law School, 1988
MSJ, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, 1980
BSJ, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, 1979
Eric Readon v. WPLG, et al., 317 So.3d 1229 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2021). Obtained affirmance of dismissal of $50 million defamation suit filed by local pastor and community leader based on, among other things, truth and fair report privilege.
Shapiro v. WPLG, Inc., 2023 WL 3485524 (Fla. 3d DCA 2023). Obtained reinstatement of joint and several fee award against substitute lawyer for libel plaintiff Eric Readon, and affirmance of joint and several fee award against Readon’s original lawyer, pursuant to Florida’s analogue to federal Rule 11.
Eduardo Quin Iglesias v. WPLG, et al., 350 So.3d 751 (Fla. 4th DCA 2022). Obtained affirmance of summary judgment in defamation case based on, among other things, truth and fair report privilege.
Chris Payton v. WPLG, Graham Media Group, et al., Case No.15-6296-CA01 (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. 2020). Obtained voluntary dismissal by former municipal official of defamation suit after discovery and service of sanctions motion pursuant to Florida’s analogue to federal Rule 11.
Arisleydes Fuentes v. WPLG, et al.,, Case No. 15-6296-CA01 (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. 2017). Obtained voluntary dismissal of emotional distress and publication of identity of sexual assault victim claims after filing of sanctions motion pursuant to Florida’s analogue to federal Rule 11.
Bach v. Post-Newsweek, 853 So. 2d 1090 (Fla. 3d DCA 2003). Obtained affirmance of summary judgment in defamation suit brought by local jewelers based on substantial truth of reporting at issue.
Palm Beach Canvassing Board. Obtained access to recount of ballots in 2018 election.
State v. Lopez, 44 Media Law Reporter 1664 (Fla. 17th Cir. Ct. Broward County 2016). Obtained access to court records in prosecution of defendant who disemboweled and murdered his girlfriend.
State v. Montes, 42 Media Law Reporter 2140 (Fla. 17th Cir. Ct. Broward County 2014). Obtained access to cell phone recording of gang rape in prosecution of one of the defendants.
State v. Michael Hernandez (Fla. 11th Cr. Ct.). Obtained access to records and proceedings in mid-2000s prosecution of Hernandez for murdering middle school classmate in school bathroom.
U.S. v. Gerardo Hernandez, et al., Case No. 98-0721-CR-Lenard/Dube (S.D. Fla. 2000). Obtained access to trial evidence in so-called “Cuban spies” prosecution.
U.S. v. Moya (S.D. Fla.). Obtained access to trial evidence in late 1990s/early 2000s jury tampering prosecution of jury foreman Miguel Moya in trial of “Cocaine Cowboys” Sal Magluta and Willie Falcon.
State v. Joe Carollo (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. Miami-Dade County). Obtained access to court records in domestic violence prosecution of then-Miami mayor in early 2000s. After oral argument, Florida Supreme Court declined to adjudicate public records issue.
In re Marriage of Barbara Becker and Boris Becker, 29 Media Law Reporter 1381 (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. Miami-Dade County 2001). Obtained access to records and proceedings in alimony and child support case between tennis great and his estranged wife.
State v. Kathy Bush (Fla. 17th Cir. Ct. Broward County). Obtained access to records and proceedings in late 1990s child abuse prosecution of mother suffering from Munchausen by proxy.
State v. Juan Carlos Chavez (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. Miami-Dade County). Obtained access to records and proceedings in 1990s prosecution for the kidnapping and murder of Jimmy Ryce.
Newsweek Stations Florida, Inc. v. Doe, 612 So. 2d 549 (Fla. 1992). Obtained affirmance of access to list of prostitution customers of Broward sheriff’s deputy and his wife.
Operation Court Broom. Obtained access to records in federal corruption probe of Florida state court judges in early 1990s.
State v. William Kennedy Smith (Fla. 15th Cir. Ct. Palm Beach County). Obtained access to records and proceedings in rape prosecution of nephew of President Kennedy.
U.S. v. Manuel Noriega, 752 F. Supp. 1037 (S.D. Fla. 1990). Obtained access to transcripts of government’s recordings of Panamanian dictator.
Recognitions
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer and Judicial Review rated
Media-law faculty, 2019 Advanced Judicial Studies Conference, Orlando
Faculty, 2018 National Association of Hispanic Journalists seminar, Miami
Faculty, 2017 seminar for free-lance journalists sponsored by the Media Law Resource Center, Miami
Speaker/moderator/chair, The Florida Bar Media Law Conference
Speaker/moderator/chair, The Florida Bar Reporter’s Workshop
Faculty/chair, media law sessions for Judicial College for Florida state court judges
Judge, Florida Bar Media Law Awards
Florida Bar’s Reporter’s Handbook, “The Reporter’s Right of Access to Courtrooms and Court Records” (online)
Handbooks for judges on media law issues in connection with various judicial education conferences for Florida judges
Various submissions to the Media Law Resource Center’s “Media Law Letter”
About Karen
Karen is a former television reporter and editor in both major- and mid-sized markets who regularly advises media clients on libel, news gathering, reporter’s privilege, access, public records, and privacy matters. On behalf of those clients Karen has litigated to a successful conclusion numerous libel and other news gathering claims, and opened the court proceedings and records in many high-profile cases, including the child abuse prosecution of Carmen and Jorge Barahona, the child custody battle between tennis champion Boris Becker and his estranged wife, the domestic violence prosecution of then-Miami Mayor Joe Carollo, the murder of Jimmy Ryce, the jury tampering trial of the jury foreman in the Willie Falcon/Sal Magluta (the “Cocaine Cowboys”) prosecution, the judicial corruption prosecution known as Operation Court Broom, the trial of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, and the William Kennedy Smith rape trial, among others. Karen also has argued before the Florida Supreme Court on public records matters. Her clients have included WPLG, Inc., BH Media Group, Inc., Graham Media Group (f/k/a Post-Newsweek), Fort Myers Broadcasting Company, Gulfshore Business, Gulfshore Life, CBS, NBC, Telemundo, the BBC, and an international financial news network.
Karen also serves as an expert witness on the reasonableness of attorneys’ fees in libel and related matters for national and international news organizations, and on behalf of individual libel defendants.
Karen also practices in the area of complex commercial litigation in both federal and state court, and has litigated a variety of complex contract, tort and other commercial matters to a successful conclusion.
She is a 1988 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School where she served as Articles Editor of the University of Chicago Legal Forum. Before attending law school, Karen worked on the assignment desk at WLS-TV, the ABC-owned-and-operated station in Chicago, and was a writer and producer at Chicago’s WIND Radio, then owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting, and WCFL, then owned by Mutual News. She also has been a reporter for various other television stations, radio stations and newspapers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Huntington, West Virginia.
In 1979 Karen received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, and in 1980 a Master of Science degree in journalism, from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
Karen is a past chair of The Florida Bar’s Media & Communications Law Committee, created a program to educate judges about media law issues and regularly appears on panels discussing such issues, including those sponsored by the Media Law Resource Center. In May 2019 she served as faculty on access issues for the College Of Advanced Judicial Studies for Florida state court judges. She also has spoken on media law issues to the National Association of Hispanic Journalists as well as a meeting of free-lance journalists sponsored by the Media Law Resource Center.
Karen is a member of the Florida bar, as well as the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. She mentors at-risk young women as a member of the Women of Tomorrow Mentoring and Scholarship Program, and also is a volunteer driver with the American Cancer Society’s Road To Recovery program. A long-time figure skater, Karen is a past president of the Miami Figure Skating Club (a member of U.S. Figure Skating, the governing body for figure skating in the United States), and has judged U.S. Figure Skating’s “Learn To Skate USA” competitions.
Education
JD, The University of Chicago Law School, 1988
MSJ, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, 1980
BSJ, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, 1979
Representative Matters
Eric Readon v. WPLG, et al., 317 So.3d 1229 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2021). Obtained affirmance of dismissal of $50 million defamation suit filed by local pastor and community leader based on, among other things, truth and fair report privilege.
Shapiro v. WPLG, Inc., 2023 WL 3485524 (Fla. 3d DCA 2023). Obtained reinstatement of joint and several fee award against substitute lawyer for libel plaintiff Eric Readon, and affirmance of joint and several fee award against Readon’s original lawyer, pursuant to Florida’s analogue to federal Rule 11.
Eduardo Quin Iglesias v. WPLG, et al., 350 So.3d 751 (Fla. 4th DCA 2022). Obtained affirmance of summary judgment in defamation case based on, among other things, truth and fair report privilege.
Chris Payton v. WPLG, Graham Media Group, et al., Case No.15-6296-CA01 (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. 2020). Obtained voluntary dismissal by former municipal official of defamation suit after discovery and service of sanctions motion pursuant to Florida’s analogue to federal Rule 11.
Arisleydes Fuentes v. WPLG, et al.,, Case No. 15-6296-CA01 (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. 2017). Obtained voluntary dismissal of emotional distress and publication of identity of sexual assault victim claims after filing of sanctions motion pursuant to Florida’s analogue to federal Rule 11.
Bach v. Post-Newsweek, 853 So. 2d 1090 (Fla. 3d DCA 2003). Obtained affirmance of summary judgment in defamation suit brought by local jewelers based on substantial truth of reporting at issue.
Palm Beach Canvassing Board. Obtained access to recount of ballots in 2018 election.
State v. Lopez, 44 Media Law Reporter 1664 (Fla. 17th Cir. Ct. Broward County 2016). Obtained access to court records in prosecution of defendant who disemboweled and murdered his girlfriend.
State v. Montes, 42 Media Law Reporter 2140 (Fla. 17th Cir. Ct. Broward County 2014). Obtained access to cell phone recording of gang rape in prosecution of one of the defendants.
State v. Michael Hernandez (Fla. 11th Cr. Ct.). Obtained access to records and proceedings in mid-2000s prosecution of Hernandez for murdering middle school classmate in school bathroom.
U.S. v. Gerardo Hernandez, et al., Case No. 98-0721-CR-Lenard/Dube (S.D. Fla. 2000). Obtained access to trial evidence in so-called “Cuban spies” prosecution.
U.S. v. Moya (S.D. Fla.). Obtained access to trial evidence in late 1990s/early 2000s jury tampering prosecution of jury foreman Miguel Moya in trial of “Cocaine Cowboys” Sal Magluta and Willie Falcon.
State v. Joe Carollo (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. Miami-Dade County). Obtained access to court records in domestic violence prosecution of then-Miami mayor in early 2000s. After oral argument, Florida Supreme Court declined to adjudicate public records issue.
In re Marriage of Barbara Becker and Boris Becker, 29 Media Law Reporter 1381 (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. Miami-Dade County 2001). Obtained access to records and proceedings in alimony and child support case between tennis great and his estranged wife.
State v. Kathy Bush (Fla. 17th Cir. Ct. Broward County). Obtained access to records and proceedings in late 1990s child abuse prosecution of mother suffering from Munchausen by proxy.
State v. Juan Carlos Chavez (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. Miami-Dade County). Obtained access to records and proceedings in 1990s prosecution for the kidnapping and murder of Jimmy Ryce.
Newsweek Stations Florida, Inc. v. Doe, 612 So. 2d 549 (Fla. 1992). Obtained affirmance of access to list of prostitution customers of Broward sheriff’s deputy and his wife.
Operation Court Broom. Obtained access to records in federal corruption probe of Florida state court judges in early 1990s.
State v. William Kennedy Smith (Fla. 15th Cir. Ct. Palm Beach County). Obtained access to records and proceedings in rape prosecution of nephew of President Kennedy.
U.S. v. Manuel Noriega, 752 F. Supp. 1037 (S.D. Fla. 1990). Obtained access to transcripts of government’s recordings of Panamanian dictator.
Bar Admissions
Recognitions
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer and Judicial Review rated
Appearances and Publications
Media-law faculty, 2019 Advanced Judicial Studies Conference, Orlando
Faculty, 2018 National Association of Hispanic Journalists seminar, Miami
Faculty, 2017 seminar for free-lance journalists sponsored by the Media Law Resource Center, Miami
Speaker/moderator/chair, The Florida Bar Media Law Conference
Speaker/moderator/chair, The Florida Bar Reporter’s Workshop
Faculty/chair, media law sessions for Judicial College for Florida state court judges
Judge, Florida Bar Media Law Awards
Florida Bar’s Reporter’s Handbook, “The Reporter’s Right of Access to Courtrooms and Court Records” (online)
Handbooks for judges on media law issues in connection with various judicial education conferences for Florida judges
Various submissions to the Media Law Resource Center’s “Media Law Letter”