She was combative and explosive and took my divorce to a level of anger which caused major suffering of my minor children. This lawyer represented me in my divorce. She also brought counts for breach of contract and for attorney's fees, alleging that Blake still owed her money related to the divorce representation.īlake's and Birzon's posted internet reviews contained the following statements: In response, Giustibelli brought suit, pleading a count for libel. After a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship between Giustibelli and her client, Blake and oddly, Birzon as well, took to the internet to post defamatory reviews of Giustibelli. Schopp, 653 So.2d 1016, 1018 (Fla.1995))).Īttorney Giustibelli represented Copia Blake in a dissolution of marriage proceeding brought against Peter Birzon.

4th DCA 2011) (recognizing that appellate court has discretion to retain jurisdiction over an appeal after it has been voluntarily dismissed, particularly where “the case presents a question of public importance and substantial judicial labor has been expended” (quoting State v.

We affirm in all respects, but this issue merits discussion as it presents a scenario that will likely recur, and the public will benefit from an opinion on the matter. One issue Blake and Birzon raised involves the application of free speech protections to reviews of professional services posted on the internet. We note that even if she had, we would not have dismissed the appeal. After briefs were filed and the court spent considerable time entertaining the issues raised, Birzon filed a notice that he and the appellee had settled the matter and that he was withdrawing his appeal. In their initial brief on appeal, the appellants, Copia Blake and Peter Birzon, raised five issues. Ann–Marie Giustibelli, Plantation, for appellees.Īfter a non-jury trial, the trial court awarded the appellee, attorney Ann–Marie Giustibelli, damages in this libel and breach of contract case. Decided: January 06, 2016Ĭopia Blake, Kansas City, MO, and Peter Birzon, Weston, pro se. Ann–Marie GIUSTIBELLI, P.A., and Ann–Marie Giustibelli, individually, Appellees. Copia BLAKE and Peter Birzon, Appellants, v.

Crushed by K.C. Blake