Overview
Mike Tanner is a seasoned legal strategist with more than forty years of experience. He is dedicated to bringing that depth of experience and perspective to every client matter in which he is involved. Mike's primary areas of practice include complex litigation, appellate (state and federal courts) and election law. The 73rd president of The Florida Bar, Mike is board certified in both civil trial and business litigation by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education and he is rated "AV-Preeminent" by Martindale-Hubbell, Inc.
In addition, Mike is listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Appellate Law. He is also named among The Best Lawyers in America as a 2021 "Lawyer of the Year" in Jacksonville for Bet-the-Company litigation. Mike has been recognized in Florida Trend Magazine's "Legal Elite" (2006-22) and the Hall of Fame (2014-22), as well as in Super Lawyers magazine (2007-24; “Top 100” attorneys in Florida in 2012-13, 2018-20, and 2022-23).
In March 2012, Mike was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Mike has been included on Florida Trend Magazine’s "Florida 500" list of the most influential business leaders in Florida for the last four consecutive years. The most recent list included just 47 attorneys out of the more than 94,000 members of The Florida Bar eligible to practice.
Honors
- AV Preeminent rating as independently determined by Martindale-Hubbell
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Appellate Law, 2006-25
- Appellate Practice "Lawyer of the Year" in Jacksonville, 2012, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024
- Bet-the-Company Litigation "Lawyer of the Year" in Jacksonville, 2016, 2018, 2021
- The Best Lawyers in America® Business Edition: The Litigation Issue, 2021
- Florida Trend Magazine
- "Legal Elite," 2006-22
- Hall of Fame, 2014-22
- "Florida 500" Most Influential Business Leaders, 2021-24
- Florida Super Lawyers, 2007-24
- "Top 100 Lawyers in Florida," 2012-13, 2018-20, 2022-23
- "Top 25 Lawyers in Jacksonville," 2018-23
News & Insights
- Principles of Direct and Cross Examination of Expert witnesses, The Florida Bar, Bar Counsel Training Session, speaker, November 12, 2024
- Nuts & Bolts of Billing: How to ethically and effectively bill your clients, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, speaker, January 11, 2024
- “Bank Customers Beware: Recovery of Unauthorized Electronic Funds Transfers Isn’t So Easy," The Florida Bar Journal, co-author, April 2017
- Nikolai Returns, Telemachus Press, 2012
- “Basic Steps for Good Peer Review," author, The Florida Bar Journal, February 2010
- “RICO Claims: The Challenge of Alleging the ‘Pattern’ Element," co-author, The Florida Bar Journal, May 2002
- “IRS Misconduct in an Audit: Is There a Civil Remedy?” The Tax Lawyer, Vol. 55, No. 1, ABA/Georgetown University Law Center, Fall 2001
- “Federal Judgments In Florida – Still Good After 5 Years," author, The Florida Bar Journal, December 1999
- “Releases – Make Sure They Bring Finality," author, The Florida Bar Journal, December 1998
Speaking Engagements
Involvement
Professional Associations & Memberships
- The Florida Bar, President, 2021-22
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, 2012-present
- The Florida Bar Board of Governors, representing the 4th Judicial Circuit, 2011-20
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Member, 2003-present
- President, Jacksonville Chapter, 2016
- The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, 2004-09
- Chair, 2007-08
- First District Appellate American Inn of Court, 2008-present (emeritus)
- President, 2011-12
- Chester Bedell Inn of Court, 2004-present (emeritus)
Education
- University of Florida, J.D., 1978
- Davidson College, A.B. Economics, 1975
Admissions
- Florida, 1978
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third and Eleventh Circuits
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle & Southern Districts of Florida
