Thomas Clyde

Thomas M. Clyde focuses his practice on complex commercial and appellate matters, with an emphasis on representing print, television, internet and communications companies. He has represented clients in an array of litigation in federal and state courts and frequently defends clients in lawsuits challenging First Amendment protected speech.

Mr. Clyde has extensive experience in defending publishers, broadcasters and other information providers against claims alleging defamation, invasion of privacy, infringement of intellectual property rights and newsgathering misconduct. Mr. Clyde also represented numerous internet-based publishers in connection with issues involving privacy, blogging, anonymous speech, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, user generated content and electronic eavesdropping issues.

In addition to his in-court representation, Mr. Clyde regularly vets content prior to its publication, including print and television news content, fiction and non-fiction books, and controversial internet speech. He also has extensive expertise counseling clients on laws relating to the use of hidden cameras and other related newsgathering techniques.

Mr. Clyde regularly represents clients seeking access to government records and proceedings and clients seeking to unseal court records and to obtain permission to televise court proceedings. He has successfully litigated numerous actions under the Georgia Open Records Act, the Georgia Open Meetings Act and the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

Mr. Clyde was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for First Amendment Law and First Amendment Litigation in 2019 and the six years immediately preceding. He was also named a 2017 and 2019 “Atlanta Lawyer of the Year” in the area of First Amendment Law by The Best Lawyers in America®. Mr. Clyde was recognized as a Georgia “Super Lawyer” for First Amendment, Media and Advertising Law in 2012 and 2013, for Constitutional Law in 2014, and again for Media and Advertising Law in 2018 and the three years immediately preceding by Super Lawyersmagazine.

Education:

• Duke University School of Law, J.D. (1992) with honors
• Princeton University, A.B. (1988)

Admissions:

• Georgia (1992)

Court Admissions:

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
• U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia