Defamation
Defamation Team
Our Firm has developed exceptional experience in defending high-level defamation claims involving corporate entities, including publicly-traded companies and numerous media defendants, as well as individual company directors, officers, media reporters and the like.
Our cases have included those will billions of dollars in contracts at issue, claims of criminal conduct, corporate espionage, discrete issues of the First Amendment, journalist’s privilege, substantial truth doctrine, defamation-proof plaintiffs, and defense of confidential informants.
A number of other cases involve, typically, allegations of dishonest, fraudulent, and/or criminal acts which are the subject of defamation claims. Our Firm has defended a number of these actions and is well-versed in the particularized defenses and issues pertinent to these cases.
Speak To Our Defamation Lawyers
At Lydecker, our team of attorneys have handled a multitude of defamation lawsuits. Contact us today and speak with one of our experienced defamation defense lawyers.
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Defamation Team
Hagen Brody is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Tampa office and the former Mayor of the City of Sarasota. Hagen was a felony prosecutor for Florida’s Twelfth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. As an experienced trial attorney, he now focuses on representing clients in civil and commercial disputes across Florida.
Hagen is also a committed community member and recipient of the prestigious Sarasota County Bar President’s Award for Community Service having served several governmental, non-governmental, and philanthropic organizations over the years including:
Sarasota City Commission
Sarasota County Bar Association Board of Directors
Twelfth Judicial Circuit Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
Sarasota County Tourist Development Council
Sarasota Bay Park Improvement Board
Sarasota Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Florida League of Cities, Land Use & Economic Development Committee
Teen Court of Sarasota Board of Directors
Brandi’s Wish Foundation Board of Directors
Booker High School Mock Trial Team Coach
Mayors Feed the Hungry
Hagen Brody is a Florida native, a graduate of Sarasota High School where he won a Men’s Tennis State Championship. The sport took him out west where he captained his Division I Men’s Tennis team at The University of California, Santa Barbara where he earned his undergraduate degree. Hagen returned to Florida to earn his law degree from The University of Miami and now lives in southwest Florida—but remains a Miami Hurricane fan.
Dianna L. Albini, a Partner at Lydecker’s California Offices, has been a trial attorney for more than 34 years. She is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™, and the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™ Judicial Edition as an AV Rated-Preeminent member.[1]
Ms. Albini primarily handles complex catastrophic injury litigation, as well as mass tort litigation involving environmental, medical device implant, and pharmaceutical matters, and civil litigation. Ms. Albini has been admitted Pro Hac Vice as a trial attorney throughout the United States, including New Jersey, Florida, Montana, Georgia, Minnesota, Puerto Rico, Louisiana, and Illinois.
Ms. Albini founded her boutique law firm in San Francisco, California. As the firm’s trial attorney, she secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, and over the course of her career thus far, her clients have recovered more than $100 million. Ms. Albini also served on the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Trial Lawyers. She is a Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Trial Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Trial Lawyers Association. Ms. Albini, is a California and San Francisco Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist on numerous occasions.
Ms. Albini is a member of the United States District Court for the Eastern and Northern Districts of California and has appeared in the Court of Appeal of California, First, Second, and Fifth Appellate Districts.
Ms. Albini has served as a Judge Pro Tem for the Counties of Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Francisco, in the State of California. She has also volunteered as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco, Hastings, and Golden Gate University Law Schools.
Ms. Albini received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management and Administration from the University of San Francisco, where she attended on a full-ride athletic scholarship. Ms. Albini was the third female athlete inducted into the University of San Francisco Athletic Hall of Fame. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where she made the Dean’s list.
[1] AV-Preeminent ratings are the Highest possible rating, reflecting the confidential opinions of California Bar and Judiciary members who know Ms. Albini’s legal ability and ethical standards.
Victoria A. Arthington is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Orlando office where she concentrates her practice in civil litigation with a primary focus on personal injury and premises liability law. In her personal injury and premises liability practice, Ms. Arthington primarily represents and advises business owners and condominium associations in various civil matters, and litigation.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Arthington worked with investors and landowners by helping them navigate complex zoning and compliance issues with real estate investments. Ms. Arthington earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida School of Law, where she also served in the Conservation Law Clinic.
Mr. Arthington was admitted to practice in the State of Florida in 2020 and is an active member of the Florida Bar.
Tevon M. Etienne is an Associate in Lydecker’s Jacksonville office. Mr. Etienne’s practice involves all aspects of civil litigation, with a primary focus on insurance defense matters, including construction defect, automobile negligence, and personal injury claims. He represents individuals, corporations, and insurers throughout Florida in both state and federal court.
Mr. Etienne earned his J.D. from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law, in 2021. During law school, Mr. Etienne fostered his professional development through multiple externships and field placements, gaining practical experience in civil litigation and insurance defense.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Etienne cultivated his skills at a prominent Florida insurance defense firm, where he handled complex litigation matters involving bodily injury, premises liability, and construction-related disputes. His practice is defined by thorough case preparation, strategic discovery management, and a results-oriented approach focused on achieving efficient and favorable outcomes for clients.
