Biography

Joseph R. Larsen focuses his practice on media law with extensive experience in all aspects of media newsroom representation including defending clients in defamation lawsuits, defending and handling of subpoenas, prior restraint matters, and access to governmental and court proceedings and records. He also has a practice in general and commercial litigation and bankruptcy, and is experienced in both insurance coverage disputes and insurance defense.

Published Opinions

• Gaines v. Kelly, 235 S.W.3d. 179 (Tex. 2007)
• In re Texas Senate, 36 S.W.3d 119 (Tex. 2000)
• Hearst Newspaper Partnership, L.P. v. Macias, 283 S.W.3d 8 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2009, no pet.)
• In re BP Products North America, Inc. --- S.W.3d ----, 2006 WL 3230760 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.)
• Brown v. Lanier Worldwide, Inc., 124 S.W.3d 883 (Tex.App.--Houston [14 Dist.] 2004, no pet.)
• The Baytown Sun v. City of Mont Belvieu, 145 S.W.3d 268 (Tex.App.-Houston [14 Dist.] 2004, no pet.)

Publications and Presentations

• “Open Government 2012: A Symposium on Access to Public Information and Open Meetings in Texas,” Presenter, Nacogdoches, Texas, April 13, 2012.
• Author, “My Space Makes the Case: Texas High Court Affirms Admission of Defendant’s Postings in Murder Trial,” Sedgwick’s Media Law Bulletin, April 2012.
• Co-Author, “Recent Developments in Media, Privacy and Defamation Law,” Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Winter 2011.
• Co-author, “Recent Developments in Media, Privacy and Defamation Law,” Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Fall 2011
• Author, “There’s a Reporter in the Hallway: Fifth Holds Media Has First Amendment right to Notice and Hearing Before Closing Sentencing Proceedings,” ABA/TIPS Fall 2011.
• “Citizens United and Corporate Speech,” Panelist, Austin College Law Symposium, Sherman, Texas, February 3, 2011.
• “Have Social Media Wrecked Traditional Venue Law?” Panelist, Reynolds National Center for the Courts and Media Regional Conference, South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas, January 26, 2011.
• “Hot Topics in Media Law: Recent Developments in Defamation, Privacy and the Internet,” Moderator, ABA/TIPS committee on Media, Privacy and Defamation Law, Houston, Texas, January 25, 2011.
• “Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meeting Act,” Presenter, Galveston, Texas, June 18, 2010.
• Co-Author, “Recent Developments in Media, Privacy, and Defamation Law,” Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Winter 2010.
• “The Texas Free Flow of Information Act,” Speaker, Society of Professional Journalists, Houston Chapter, March 13, 2009.
• Author, “Sign O' the Times: DMCA Battle Over Good Faith vs. Fair Use of Prince Song,” ABA/TIPS Media, Privacy, & Defamation Law Committee Newsletter, Winter/Spring 2009.
• Author, “Sign o' the Times: DMCA Battle Over Good Faith vs. Fair Use of Prince Song,” Sedgwick’s Media Law Bulletin, March 2009.
• Author, “Attorneys' Fees Under the Texas Public Information Act,” Media, Privacy and Defamation Law Committee Newsletter, January 2009.
• "The Public's Business -- In Private Hands," Panel Moderator, State Conference for Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, October 24, 2008.
• “How to Win FOI Fights,” Panelist, 2008 NICAR Conference, Houston, Texas, March 1, 2008. 
• “Access to Government Records,” Speaker, ACLU of Texas, Houston, Texas, February 19, 2008. 
• “Texas Public Information Act,” Speaker, Certified Fraud Examiners, Houston, Texas, January 8, 2008. 
• “State Open Government Law and Practice in a Post 9/11 World,” Speaker, National Press Club, Washington, D.C., November 14, 2007. 
• “The Texas Public Information Act and Bioresearch: Application and Implications,” for the Congressionally-Directed Homeland Defense and Civil Support Threat Information Collection, November, 2007. 
• “Showcase Panel, Legal Assaults on the Press and Battling Back,” Speaker, National IRE Conference, Fort Worth, Texas, June 16, 2006. 
• “Brownbag with Media Lawyers,” Speaker, National IRE Conference, Fort Worth, Texas, June 16, 2006. 
• “State Bar Convention – Open Government,” Panelist, Texas State Bar, Location?, June 15, 2006. 
• “To Shield or Not to Shield: Where is Texas Law?” Speaker, HBA Law and Media Seminar, Houston, Texas, February 25, 2006. 
• “How to Write a Good FOI Request,” Speaker, South Houston Concerned Citizen’s Group, Houston, Texas, July 21, 2005. 
• “Texas Public Information Act,” Speaker, Houston Property Rights Association, Houston, Texas, April 1, 2005. 
• “Texas Open Meetings Bill Falls Short of the Mark,” American Bar Association Media, Defamation and Privacy Newsletter, Spring Edition, 2004.

Affiliations, Activities and Accomplishments

Mr. Larsen is admitted to practice in both Texas and Louisiana.  In 2010, he was honored with the James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT).  The James Madison Award is given annually to honor those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and service in upholding the principles of the First Amendment.  Mr. Larsen is also a board member of FOIFT.

Mr. Larsen serves as the chair-elect for the 2011-2012 fiscal year of the ABA TIPS Media Privacy and Defamation Law General Committee within the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section.