Carol Jean LoCicero is a media and intellectual-property attorney and a co-founder of Thomas & LoCicero. Her practice concerns defamation, privacy, public records, access to courts and advice to publishers. She is the managing partner of the firm's Tampa office and holds a law degree from the University of Florida and a bachelor's degree from Troy State University.
DI has documented statements by Carol Jean LoCicero on Free Speech, Media, and Press Freedom. Read the quotations, original sources and related cases below.
Role at the time: Managing partner at Thomas & LoCicero
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Carol Jean LoCicero says she is a fan of Sullivan, describes actual malice as a defense that often applies across the statements in a libel case and says the Court's Counterman decision reaffirmed the rule.
Thomas and Gorsuch question the constitutional basis and present-day effects of actual malice. Defenders stress protection for criticism and reporting. The Court's June 2026 refusal to hear Dershowitz's challenge left the rule in place.
