I became a lawyer for one purpose: to be an advocate for those who face being silenced. Professionally, there is nothing that gives me more joy than being able to bring to light the importance of freedom of expression.
About Linda
Linda is an associate in the Tampa office with a practice concentration in media and communications law, including defamation and invasion of privacy. She also focuses on business litigation and intellectual property matters. She graduated with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2017.
Prior to joining the firm, Linda worked as a legal fellow at the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, a nonprofit organization charged with informing lawmakers and the public on the importance of an open and transparent government. She also previously taught media law courses to undergraduate students at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, and she has served as a contributing editor of an Internet law textbook.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication from the University of Florida in 2011, when she fell in love with the First Amendment and communication law. She subsequently received a Master of Arts in Mass Communication Law in 2013.
While in law school, Linda interned at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida and in the Business and Legal Affairs Department of NBC Universal’s Telemundo. She also worked as a summer associate at the firm.
While pursuing her master’s and law degrees, Linda published several law review articles focused on the First Amendment and communications law, now found in the California Law Review, William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law, and the Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal.
Linda is a first-generation American. She speaks fluent Spanish and is conversant in French and Italian.
JD, University of Florida, 2017
MA, Mass Communication Law, University of Florida, 2013
BA, Telecommunication-Production, University of Florida, 2011
Tymar Distribution LLC v. Mitchell Group USA, LLC and Rivelle Products, Inc., No. 21-21976-CIV-Altonaga/Torres, 2021 WL 4077966 (S.D. Fla. Sept. 8, 2021). Won dismissal of tortious interference and FDUTPA claims brought against company providing brand-protection services on amazon.com.
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.
W.P. Productions, Inc. v. Tramontina U.S.A., Inc. and Sam’s West, Inc., No. 18-cv-63162, 2020 WL 3566400 (S.D. Fla. June 12, 2020). Representing a manufacturer of cookware sets sold to major U.S. retailers, won summary judgment on 15 million dollar defamation and tortious interference claims.
Bernstein, et al. v. Larson Shannahan Slifka Group, LLC, et al. (Fla. 13th Jud. Cir. Ct. 2020). Won dismissal with prejudice, based upon official immunity, of defamation and conspiracy claims arising out of ammunition procurement contract for U.S. Special Operations Command.
Panelist, Free Speech, Free Press, and Open Government, Tallahassee Women Lawyers Meeting (2020)
MLRC Media Law Letter: Court Tosses Disgraced Doctor’s Defamation Claims Against Media (July 2020).
Co-author, Survey of Eleventh Circuit Libel Law, Media Libel Law, Media Law Resource Center (2019 – present)
Panelist, Investigative Reporting and FOIA, Association for Women in Sports Media Conference (2019)
Panelist, Florida Bar Media Law Committee Session, Florida Media Conference (2019)
I 🔫 You: Considering the Context of Online Threats, Cal. L. Rev. (December 2018), (Co-author: Lyrissa Lidsky)
Adjunct Professor, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (2014-2016, 2018)
Accidental Disclosures ≠ Permissible Prior Restraints, Brechner Blog, (November 6, 2018)
Antitrust Issues & The Legal Profession Online, in Internet Law: The Complete Guide (Special Technical Publications) (Oct. 2018 ed.). (Chapter updates only)
How ”Revenge FOIA” lawsuits against the press highlight the need for openness in sexual harassment records, Brechner Blog, (September 4, 2018)
Stopping the Presses: Private Universities and Gag Orders on Media Interviews, J. Academic Freedom (2018), (Co-author: Frank LoMonte)
“Failing New York Times v. Trump: Is There a First Amendment Claim for Official, Condemnation by Tweet?, Comm. Lawyer (Winter 2018), (Co-author: Frank LoMonte)
Employment Law, in Internet Law: The Complete Guide (Special Technical Publications) (Jan. 2018 ed.). (Chapter update only)
Editor, Brechner Report, The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information (2015-2017)
Bag Men and the Ghost of Richard Jewell: Some Legal and Ethical Lessons About Implied Defamation, Headlines, and Reporting on Breaking Criminal Activity from Barhoum v. NYP Holdings, 36 Hastings Comm. & Ent. L.J. 407 (January 1, 2014). (Co-authors: Clay Calvert, Daniel Axelrod, Sarah Papadelias)
Conversion Therapy and Free Speech: A Doctrinal and Theoretical First Amendment Analysis, 20 Wm. & Mary J. of Women & L. 525 (2014). (Co-authors: Clay Calvert, Kara Carnley, Brittany Link)
About Linda
Linda is an associate in the Tampa office with a practice concentration in media and communications law, including defamation and invasion of privacy. She also focuses on business litigation and intellectual property matters. She graduated with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2017.
Prior to joining the firm, Linda worked as a legal fellow at the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, a nonprofit organization charged with informing lawmakers and the public on the importance of an open and transparent government. She also previously taught media law courses to undergraduate students at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, and she has served as a contributing editor of an Internet law textbook.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication from the University of Florida in 2011, when she fell in love with the First Amendment and communication law. She subsequently received a Master of Arts in Mass Communication Law in 2013.
While in law school, Linda interned at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida and in the Business and Legal Affairs Department of NBC Universal’s Telemundo. She also worked as a summer associate at the firm.
While pursuing her master’s and law degrees, Linda published several law review articles focused on the First Amendment and communications law, now found in the California Law Review, William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law, and the Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal.
Linda is a first-generation American. She speaks fluent Spanish and is conversant in French and Italian.
Education
JD, University of Florida, 2017
MA, Mass Communication Law, University of Florida, 2013
BA, Telecommunication-Production, University of Florida, 2011
Representative Matters
Tymar Distribution LLC v. Mitchell Group USA, LLC and Rivelle Products, Inc., No. 21-21976-CIV-Altonaga/Torres, 2021 WL 4077966 (S.D. Fla. Sept. 8, 2021). Won dismissal of tortious interference and FDUTPA claims brought against company providing brand-protection services on amazon.com.
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.
W.P. Productions, Inc. v. Tramontina U.S.A., Inc. and Sam’s West, Inc., No. 18-cv-63162, 2020 WL 3566400 (S.D. Fla. June 12, 2020). Representing a manufacturer of cookware sets sold to major U.S. retailers, won summary judgment on 15 million dollar defamation and tortious interference claims.
Bernstein, et al. v. Larson Shannahan Slifka Group, LLC, et al. (Fla. 13th Jud. Cir. Ct. 2020). Won dismissal with prejudice, based upon official immunity, of defamation and conspiracy claims arising out of ammunition procurement contract for U.S. Special Operations Command.
Bar Admissions
Appearances and Publications
Panelist, Free Speech, Free Press, and Open Government, Tallahassee Women Lawyers Meeting (2020)
MLRC Media Law Letter: Court Tosses Disgraced Doctor’s Defamation Claims Against Media (July 2020).
Co-author, Survey of Eleventh Circuit Libel Law, Media Libel Law, Media Law Resource Center (2019 – present)
Panelist, Investigative Reporting and FOIA, Association for Women in Sports Media Conference (2019)
Panelist, Florida Bar Media Law Committee Session, Florida Media Conference (2019)
I 🔫 You: Considering the Context of Online Threats, Cal. L. Rev. (December 2018), (Co-author: Lyrissa Lidsky)
Adjunct Professor, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (2014-2016, 2018)
Accidental Disclosures ≠ Permissible Prior Restraints, Brechner Blog, (November 6, 2018)
Antitrust Issues & The Legal Profession Online, in Internet Law: The Complete Guide (Special Technical Publications) (Oct. 2018 ed.). (Chapter updates only)
How ”Revenge FOIA” lawsuits against the press highlight the need for openness in sexual harassment records, Brechner Blog, (September 4, 2018)
Stopping the Presses: Private Universities and Gag Orders on Media Interviews, J. Academic Freedom (2018), (Co-author: Frank LoMonte)
“Failing New York Times v. Trump: Is There a First Amendment Claim for Official, Condemnation by Tweet?, Comm. Lawyer (Winter 2018), (Co-author: Frank LoMonte)
Employment Law, in Internet Law: The Complete Guide (Special Technical Publications) (Jan. 2018 ed.). (Chapter update only)
Editor, Brechner Report, The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information (2015-2017)
Bag Men and the Ghost of Richard Jewell: Some Legal and Ethical Lessons About Implied Defamation, Headlines, and Reporting on Breaking Criminal Activity from Barhoum v. NYP Holdings, 36 Hastings Comm. & Ent. L.J. 407 (January 1, 2014). (Co-authors: Clay Calvert, Daniel Axelrod, Sarah Papadelias)
Conversion Therapy and Free Speech: A Doctrinal and Theoretical First Amendment Analysis, 20 Wm. & Mary J. of Women & L. 525 (2014). (Co-authors: Clay Calvert, Kara Carnley, Brittany Link)