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.
About Carol
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. 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. 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 Past Chair for the First Amendment Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and remains on the foundations Brand and Executive Committee. 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 co-chairs the Media Law Resource Center’s Litigation Committee. 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.
JD, University of Florida, 1986
BA, Troy State University, 1983
Testified before legislative committees and organized efforts to oppose libel bills impinging on constitutional rights.
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.
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 more than $200 million in damages.
Nix v. Major League Baseball et al., 62 F.4th 920 (5th Cir. 2023), and Nix v. ESPN, Inc., 772 Fed. Appx. 807 (11th Cir. 2019). Won dismissal and appeals of libel actions that former professional baseball player brought against The Associated Press, ESPN and USA Today.
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). Won 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.
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.
Recognitions
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
- Best Lawyers in America
- Florida Super Lawyers
- Tampa Magazine Top Lawyers, Litigation: First Amendment
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).
About Carol
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. 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. 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 Past Chair for the First Amendment Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and remains on the foundations Brand and Executive Committee. 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 co-chairs the Media Law Resource Center’s Litigation Committee. 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.
Education
JD, University of Florida, 1986
BA, Troy State University, 1983
Representative Matters
Testified before legislative committees and organized efforts to oppose libel bills impinging on constitutional rights.
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.
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 more than $200 million in damages.
Nix v. Major League Baseball et al., 62 F.4th 920 (5th Cir. 2023), and Nix v. ESPN, Inc., 772 Fed. Appx. 807 (11th Cir. 2019). Won dismissal and appeals of libel actions that former professional baseball player brought against The Associated Press, ESPN and USA Today.
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). Won 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.
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.
Bar Admissions
Recognitions
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
- Best Lawyers in America
- Florida Super Lawyers
- Tampa Magazine Top Lawyers, Litigation: First Amendment
Appearances and Publications
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).