The First Amendment Foundation is thrilled to announce James “Jim” Lake as the 2023-2024 recipient of the James C. Adkins/Sunshine Litigation Award.

This prestigious award honors the indelible legacy of Justice Adkins, whose opinions on the Florida Supreme Court have robustly defended the principles of open government. It is bestowed annually upon an individual or organization in Florida that has significantly advanced the cause of open government and free speech through dedicated litigation.

The award will be presented on June 15, at a ceremony at the Florida State Law School Rotunda in Tallahassee, FL.

“We are thrilled to honor Jim with this award,” said Bobby Block, Executive Director of the First Amendment Foundation. “I have had the privilege to work alongside Jim and can honestly say nobody is more dedicated to defending Floridians’ Constitutional rights than he is.”

After leaving a promising career as a reporter for the Tampa Tribune, Lake graduated with honors from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1994.

A Partner at Thomas and LoCicero Firm, Lake has wide expertise spanning media law, intellectual property, and business litigation. He has overseen high-profile cases in state and federal court involving defamation, trademark issues, reporter’s privilege disputes, and demands for access to public records and meetings, among others.

In 2023 and 2024, Lake became an outspoken opponent of proposed legislation that would done away with six decades of U.S. Supreme Court precedent, lowering the bar for politicians to be able to sue their critics for defamation.

His journey from reporter to fierce legal advocate for the First Amendment and accountability speaks volumes about his passion and dedication to his field.

"I’m honored and humbled to receive this award,” Lake said in a statement. “Working to protect free speech and open records in Florida is a team effort led in recent years by Carol LoCicero, Bobby Block, and Sam Morley. I’m grateful to have taken part in their successes. I hope this award will inspire others. Free speech and open records are essential to preserving all our freedoms."

Join us as we honor Lake at the upcoming First Amendment Foundation Awards! Secure your spot now and be part of an event that champions the core values of open government and free speech. It's more than just an event—it's a gathering of Florida's foremost defenders of open government, where connections are made, ideas are shared, and inspiration abounds.

Be part of a movement that celebrates and upholds our fundamental freedoms.

At the First Amendment Foundation, we're proud to operate a dedicated hotline service, offering critical support and guidance on open government issues. Since the start of 2024, we've received over 100 hotline inquiries, including both emails and phone calls. Notably, approximately 80% of these are from regular citizens and advocates seeking public records and sunshine advice. An estimated 13% of these cases could lead to litigation, underscoring the significance of our advocacy and the challenges faced in maintaining transparency.

If you need assistance with First Amendment or open government issues—whether it's public records, the right to speak at a public meeting, or any other matter related to your civic freedoms—please reach out to us at info@floridafaf.org or call us at 850-222-3518. We're here to help ensure your rights are protected!