Mike is a trial lawyer with a wealth of experience in the courtroom and arbitrations, administrative proceedings and other forms of dispute resolution.

As an attorney, board certified in business litigation, his practice spans a wide range of substantive legal disciplines and specialized industries including corporate governance, education, health care, hospitality, labor and employment, construction, logistics, transportation and receiverships.

Mike serves as counsel for a variety of companies, with regular involvement in personnel matters, labor relations, contract negotiations, insurance, risk analysis and strategic planning. He has appeared on national and local television and radio programs including The Today Show, 20/20, Good Morning America and National Public Radio.

Mike is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education presentations on various substantive legal topics and professional ethics. He also has been published, both inside and outside of the legal community, regarding a variety of subjects.

Mike actively engages at the local, state and national levels with significant causes and organizations. Among other causes, he is active in speaking out in support of legal aid for the indigent, and collaboration within the non-profit community. He is the founder of FreedToRun, a marathon series that raises money to endow a program that provides legal services to indigent pediatric patients, and otherwise raises money for legal aid.

• Class action counsel to publicly traded food manufacturer
• Successfully tried, as lead counsel, litigation for theft of intellectual property, violation of trade secrets act and breach of non-compete contract
• Prevailed in jury trial as lead counsel in fraud claims arising from land purchase transaction
• Litigation of major construction defect claims arising out of luxury condominium project
• Negotiation of asset purchase and stock purchase agreements
• Representation of technology companies in licensing, marketing and vender agreements
• Negotiation of railroad leases and joint venture agreements for logistics projects

• The Best Lawyers in America®, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) “Lawyer of the Year” in Jacksonville, 2020
• The Best Lawyers® in America, Employment Law – Individuals, Business Organizations, Commercial Litigation, 2015-23
• The Best Lawyers® in America Employment Law Issue, Labor and Employment Law, 2021
• American Board of Trial Advocates Florida Chapter, Fran Peacock Coker Community Service Award, 2019
• First Coast News, 12 Who Care Community Service Award, 2019
• Distinguished Alumni Award of Excellence, Jacksonville University, 2018
• “Lawyer of the Year”, Jacksonville Daily Record, 2018
• “But For Leadership Florida” award recognizing community impact, Leadership Florida, 2018
• Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, “Michael K. Reese Quality of Life” award, 2018
• Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne Distinguished Dolphin of Service award, Jacksonville University, 2017
• AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• “One of 80 Alum You Ought to Know,” Jacksonville University, 2014
• First District Court of Appeal, 2014-18
  • Appointed by Governor to Judicial Nominating Commission
• Florida Trend, “Legal Elite,” 2005-06, 2008, 2012-13, 2015-17, 2019,2021
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2011-22
  • “Top 25 Lawyers in Jacksonville,” 2020
• Jacksonville Business Journal
  • “Ultimate Attorneys: Best of the Bar,” 2020
  • “Ultimate Attorney,” 2018
  • Diversity Award, 2013
  • “Up and Comers,” 2005

• “Reconnect 2022,” presenter, Leadership Jacksonville, January 2023
• “Partner Viewpoint-Focusing Forward for a Better Future,” moderator, National Conference of Bar Presidents, August 2021
• “Leveraged Philanthropy,” The Florida Bar’s Leadership Academy, August 2019
• “Listening – the sound of diversity,” author, National Conference of Bar Presidents, April 2019
• “Obtaining Board Certification in Business Litigation,” speaker, Jacksonville Bar Association, 2017
• “The Pros and Cons of Non-Compete Agreements,” Young Upstarts, 2016.
• “Legal Services as an Economic Indicator,” Jacksonville Business Journal, 2016
• “Red Flags in Business Valuations,” American Society of Appraisers, 2014
• “Advanced Direct Examination Techniques,” Raymond Ehrlich Trial Advocacy Seminar, 2012
• “Effective Cross Examination,” National Business Institute, 2012
• “Practical Applications of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,” Westlaw, 2012
• “Impact on Banks of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act,” Financial News and Daily Record, 2012
• “Preparing for Your Deposition,” Building Edge Magazine, 2010

• Florida Bar, Business Litigation Certification Committee, 2016-present
  • Chair, 2019-20
  • Vice chair, 2018-19
• Florida, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Bar Associations
• Judicial Nominating Commission, appointed by the governor, 2014-18
• Jacksonville Bar Association
  • President, 2011-12
  • Former chair
    • Commercial litigation, 2004-09
    • Professionalism, 2004-07
• Federal Bar Association, Jacksonville Chapter
  • President, 2002-03
• American Bar Association
• National Conference of Bar Presidents
  • President, 2021
  • ABA Day, Planning Committee, 2018
  • Standing committee on continuing legal education, 2017-18
  • Delegate, 2014-16
• Florida Bar Fourth Judicial Circuit Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, 2014
  • Grievance committee, 2009-12
• National Conference of Bar Presidents Executive Council, 2014-present
  • Diversity and communications committees, 2013-present
• The Chester Bedell Inn of Court

• Innocence Project of Florida, board of directors, 2022-present
• Jacksonville Country Day School, trustee and member, audit subcommittee
• Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida, board member, 2016-22
• Clara White Mission, board member, 2013-16
• Jacksonville University
  • Board of trustees, 2013-15
  • National Alumni Association, president, 2013-15
• Leadership Florida, Class 33, 2014-15
  • Northeast Florida Regional Council, chair, 2016-17
  • Northeast Florida Regional Council, 2015-present
• Leadership Jacksonville
  • Board of directors, 2018-present
  • Class of 2008