607-351-3820
Mario in the News
Criminal Defense Attorney Protecting Free Speech Rights
As a dedicated criminal defense attorney, I focus on protecting First Amendment rights and defending individuals facing legal challenges related to speech. My cases often involve defamation claims, SLAPP lawsuits, and criminal charges stemming from online expression, social media posts, and digital content creation. My work has been featured in various media outlets, where I provide insights on the evolving landscape of free speech law, internet regulations, and the intersection of criminal defense and First Amendment protections. Whether representing journalists, activists, or content creators, I remain committed to ensuring that the legal system is not weaponized to suppress free expression.
Exclusive: State police lieutenants claim promotional exam stacked against them
Print news here:
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/investigations/exclusive-state-police-lieutenants-claim-promotional-exam-stacked-against-them/3206682/
NH Legislature testimony here:
https://youtu.be/_MMA6cGG2hI?t=19050
CT Supreme Court won’t hear case on intersex social media star. Judge lifts gag order silencing her.
We win the case with the TikTok client gagged by judge 12.3.23
A CT man got a court order to silence his social media star wife. She says it will cost her millions.
Tik Tok client gagged by judge 10.30.23
CT Supreme Court could decide if blogger can hide IDs of commenters who allegedly defamed cop
CCSU Hosts Connecticut Supreme Court Hearings at Davidson Hall
Oral Argument held at CCSU 10.24.23
A CT police officer wants his critics named. He took it to state Supreme Court in free press case.
Internet Speech case at CT SC 10.19.23
Supreme Court hears oral arguments in reporter shield law case
Appeals court may revive challenge to lawyer conduct rule
Supreme Court hears oral arguments in reporter shield law case
Man accused of internet threats against CT judges faces trial. Free speech showdown expected.
A win for free speech in CT
OpEd on my case 4.14.23
https://www.ctpost.com/opinion/article/opinion-a-win-for-free-speech-in-ct-17895747.php
In Elite Company: Announcing 2022's Connecticut Legal Awards Honorees
Finalist for game changer of the year in CT 5.22.23
Connecticut Supreme Court Affirms Right of Immediate Appeal for Lawsuits Targeting First Amendment Rights
more about the major anti-SLAPP victory 5.24.23
Connecticut Supreme Court rulings bolster first amendment protections. Here’s how.
Major anti-SLAPP victory 5.5.23
https://www.courant.com/2023/05/04/connecticut-supreme-court-rulings-first-amendment-protections/
A century-old CT law bans ridicule based on race, religion and nationality. The Supreme Court weighed in on it.
Charges dismissed against firefighter over accident scene photos
Criminal case about photography on social media 4.3.23
https://insideinvestigator.org/charges-dismissed-against-firefighter-over-accident-scene-photos/
Judge dismisses criminal case against Conn. firefighter related to crash scene photos
Criminal case about firefighter images on social media 4.3.23
Prosecutor Drops Case Against Fire Company Officer for Social Media Share of Crash
Criminal case about photography on social media 3.30.23
FIRE's and My Amicus Brief on Connecticut's "Racial Ridicule" Law
Covering my challenge to a law 12.21.22
https://reason.com/volokh/2022/12/21/fires-and-my-amicus-brief-on-connecticuts-racial-ridicule-law/
FIRE, Professor Eugene Volokh file amicus brief challenging Connecticut’s ‘racial ridicule’ law
FIRE writes about my suit 12.20.22
Meet Attys Arguing Conn. Anti-SLAPP Claim Against Firm
More coverage of major anti-SLAPP case 10.7.22
https://www.law360.com/pulse/articles/1538148/meet-attys-arguing-conn-anti-slapp-claim-against-firm
First Amendment Advocate's Challenge to 'Ridicule' Law Now Before State Supreme Court
Connecticut Justices Asked About Law Criminalizing Biased Speech
Racial Ridicule law case 7.21.22
NCLA Asks Second Circuit to Strike Down New Ethics Rule Muzzling Connecticut Attorneys’ Speech
A case challenging an ethics rule 2.27.23
The Quinnipiac Law Review to present virtual symposium, ‘History of the Connecticut Constitution,’ on March 4
I present at a symposium about the CT Constitution 2.21.22
NCLA Contests Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit Challenging Vague CT Rule Regulating Attorneys’ Speech
Conn. Atty Battle Takes SLAPP Laws Before High Court
Major anti-SLAPP case 2.9.22
https://www.law360.com/pulse/articles/1463436/conn-atty-battle-takes-slapp-laws-before-high-court
Students charged with shouting racial slurs sue UConn
Student rights case, free speech 1.14,20
https://www.krqe.com/news/national/students-charged-with-shouting-racial-slurs-sue-uconn/
UConn: We can’t stop the unconstitutional process our police started
Student free speech rights case with criminal charges 11.19.2019
https://www.thefire.org/news/uconn-we-cant-stop-unconstitutional-process-our-police-started
College student seeks to have racist slur charge erased
Challenging arrest of college student for naughty words 11.13.2019
Drone-Flying Teen And His Dad Go To Court To Fight FAA Investigation
Drone case 7.6.2016
https://www.chicagotribune.com/hc-drone-boy-0707-20160706-story.html
Clinton father and son face FAA in court Wednesday over gun-firing, flame-throwing drones
Dad, son fight FAA over gun-firing, flame-throwing drones
Fox news coverage of drone case 7.4.2016
https://www.foxnews.com/us/dad-son-fight-faa-over-gun-firing-flame-throwing-drones
PRIOR RESTRAINT ORDER THREATENED PRESS FREEDOM
About Amicus brief I wrote in free speech case ACLU-CT 12.8.2015
https://www.acluct.org/en/press-releases/prior-restraint-order-threatened-press-freedom
Man who built gun drone, flamethrower drone argues FAA can’t regulate him
Ars technica coverage of my drone video case 9.9.2016
Hartford attorney backs ULA
Pre suit demand letter to New Haven 12.7.2015
https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/12/07/hartford-attorney-backs-ula/
Attorneys Decry “Unlawful” Arrest
Pre suit demand letter to New Haven 12.3.2015
Attorney for deputy fire chief sends demand letter to Hartford mayor
Hartford Fire Department Sued by One of Its Own
Firefighter free speech case 8.3.2015
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/hartford-fire-department-sued-by-one-of-its-own/90311/
The Penn Law: Cops May Not Use Tasers Punitively
https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/the_penn_law_cops_may_not_use_tasers_punitively