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
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.
McClatchy Company, LLC v. Florida Department of Children and Families, Case No. 2021-003289-CA-01 (Fla. 11th Jud. Cir. May 2023). Won final summary judgment and attorney’s fees in a public records action to obtain the full case file of a 22-month-old toddler who died while in the custody of DCF. The court agreed that Florida statutes made these records public upon a determination of that the child died of abuse, abandonment, and neglect, determined that DCF wrongfully withheld these records and filed a frivolous appeal, and awarded over $370,000 in trial and appellate fees and costs.
Klayman v. Cable News Network, Inc., 2023 WL 2027843 (11th Cir. 2023). Assisted with successful trial court defense of libel action against CNN and affirmance of dismissal on appeal.