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How to Lose a Case in Six Easy Steps – Glickman v. Miller

🥇 How to Lose a Case in Six Easy Steps

The Curious Case of Akiva Glickman v. Roy Miller (a.k.a. How Not to Use a Florida Courtroom)

By Tamar Kapach

Welcome to this week’s edition of “Courtroom Calamities”, where we profile legal strategies so bewildering, they leave opposing counsel praying for sanctions — and in the case of Akiva Glickman v. Roy Miller, they just might get them.

Let’s be clear: when you file a lawsuit in Florida about Hebrew-language news broadcasts made in Israel, about events that happened in Israel, involving people who were in Israel… well, you’re going to have a bad time.

Roy Miller (a.k.a. Roy X. Miller, f/n/a Abi Roy Dubitzky) has had enough. He’s fired back with a motion for sanctions under Florida Statute § 57.105, and the result is a legal takedown so comprehensive, it reads like a how-to manual for burning your own credibility.

Here are the six arguments that might just turn this lawsuit into an expensive cautionary tale.

1. Forum Non Conveniens: Florida Is Not Your Global Complaint Desk

The broadcasts? Aired in Israel. The language? Hebrew. The witnesses? In Israel. The law that governs defamation? Israeli.

Florida’s courts don’t enjoy being used as an international complaint box. The motion relies on the Kinney doctrine and Cortez v. Palace Resorts, which say if your case has nothing to do with Florida — get out. And this one doesn’t. This is forum shopping at its most blatant.

2. Statute of Limitations: Because 2024 Minus 2018 ≠ 2

Florida gives you two years to sue for defamation. Glickman waited five. That’s not brave — it’s late. Really, really late. Florida follows the single publication rule. If you snooze, you lose.

3. No Personal Jurisdiction: A Website Is Not a Florida Address

Posting Hebrew content online doesn’t mean you’re targeting Florida. Courts require meaningful connection — not a hypothetical Floridian with a VPN and time to browse obscure Israeli exposés.

4. Free Speech Is Still a Thing (Even in Lawsuits)

If the broadcast was true — and the motion says Glickman was under suspicion — then there’s no case. Truth is a complete defense. Florida doesn’t let you sue someone for embarrassing you with facts.

5. SLAPP It Down: This Case Walks Like a SLAPP, Quacks Like a SLAPP…

Florida’s anti-SLAPP statute exists for lawsuits like this. Glickman’s complaint screams: “I’m suing because I didn’t like what you said!” That’s illegal. And expensive. He may end up paying for Miller’s attorneys.

6. Sanctions Incoming: Fla. Stat. § 57.105 – The “This Was a Terrible Idea” Law

When a claim is frivolous — and this one’s practically a masterclass — Florida law says the other side gets their fees. Not just from the plaintiff. But from the lawyers too. Glickman’s team might want to start pricing out apologies and payment plans.

Final Thoughts: A Lawsuit Without Borders (Or Legal Merit)

Glickman tried to drag a purely Israeli story into a Florida court. The result? A motion to kick it out, shut it down, and send him the bill.

Pro tip: If you need Google Translate, a time machine, and a foreign court to explain your case — you’re probably in the wrong jurisdiction.