Lawyer's Rejected Airport Ad Now Massive Billboard

Megan Thomas sued after Syracuse airport refused her sexual harassment law firm ad, and now her message is displayed prominently across two walls.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:35pm

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A lawyer named Megan Thomas sued an upstate New York airport after it rejected a small ad for her sexual harassment law firm. The airport had asked her to soften the 'harsh' wording of the ad, but Thomas filed a lawsuit instead. Now, the ad is finally up, with the original wording intact - and much larger than she originally intended, taking up two walls of the travel hub.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over free speech and advertising rights, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like sexual harassment. The airport's initial rejection of Thomas' ad sparked a debate over what constitutes 'threatening' or 'intimidating' messaging, and the judge's ruling that her slogan was no more misleading than other common advertising slogans sets an important precedent.

The details

Last summer, Megan Thomas signed a contract for an ad at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, wanting it to read: 'When HR called it harmless flirting … we called it exhibit A.' However, the airport asked her to soften the wording, which Thomas refused to do. She then filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the airport's rejection of her ad violated her First Amendment rights. After a judge ruled in Thomas' favor in January, the two sides reached a confidential settlement, and the new, larger ad went up a few weeks ago, taking up two walls of the airport.

  • Last summer, Thomas signed a contract for the ad at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
  • In August, Thomas filed a federal lawsuit against the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority.
  • In January, a judge ruled in Thomas' favor in a preliminary decision.
  • A few weeks ago, the new, larger ad went up at the airport.

The players

Megan Thomas

A lawyer who owns a Syracuse-based sexual harassment law firm and sued the Syracuse airport over its rejection of her ad.

Syracuse Regional Airport Authority

The organization that operates the Syracuse Hancock International Airport and initially rejected Thomas' ad.

Judge Anthony Brindisi

The federal judge who ruled in Thomas' favor in a preliminary decision, saying the airport's claim about the ad's wording was 'nonsense.'

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The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between free speech rights and the ability of organizations to manage their public spaces and messaging. The airport's initial rejection of Thomas' ad sparked a debate over what constitutes acceptable advertising, but the judge's ruling and the subsequent settlement suggest that courts will side with individuals' First Amendment rights in such cases, even on sensitive topics like sexual harassment.