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01 Professional
Biography

Michael has two decades of experience in trial and appellate work spanning a broad range of commercial and insurance matters.

He has represented clients in claims involving:

  • admiralty
  • architectural and engineering errors and omissions
  • auto and trucking liability
  • bad faith
  • clergy and school sexual misconduct
  • construction defect
  • insurance coverage
  • medical malpractice
  • nursing home negligence
  • product liability
  • property and casualty
  • wrongful death

He periodically lectures before clients and industry groups on these topics.

In his appellate practice, Michael has argued before the Third and Fourth District Courts of Appeal, as well as the 11th Circuit Appellate Court for Miami-Dade County.

02 Reported
Cases
  • Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London v. Candelaria, 339 So. 3d 463 (Fla. 3d DCA 2022)
  • Ted & Stan’s Towing Service, Inc. v. Bulk Express Transport, Inc., 349 So. 3d 533 (Fla. 3d DCA 2022)
  • Dougherty v. City of Miami, 89 So. 3d 963 (Fla. 3d DCA 2012)
  • Dougherty v. City of Miami, 23 So. 3d 156 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009)
  • Bethany Evangelical Covenant Church of Miami, Fla., Inc. v. Calandra, 994 So. 2d (Fla. 3d DCA 2008)
  • Exodus Underhill, LLC v. v. Behar, 983 So. 2d 592 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008)
  • Bowe v. Worldwide Flight Services, Inc., 979 So. 2d 423 (Fla. 3d DCA 2008)
  • Hernandez-Canton v. Miami City Commission, 971 So. 2d 829 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007)
  • Peterson v. Johnson, Case No.: 4D07-2267, opinion filed May 14, 2008 (Fla. 4th DCA)
  • Peterson v. Palm Beach Gardens Christ Fellowship, 909 So. 2d 348 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005)
  • Howell v. Jackson, 810 So. 2d 1081 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002)
  • Hernandez v. Amisub, Inc., 774 So. 2d 539 (Fla. 3d DCA 1998)
Before SSE Legal

Prior to forming SSE, Michael was a shareholder at an Am Law100 firm, and before that a partner at a major Florida firm.

Beyond SSE Legal

“AV” Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

Bar Admissions

Florida

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Memberships
Capabilities
  • Insurance
  • Litigation
  • Construction
  • Appelate
Education

St. Thomas University School of Law (J.D., 1995)

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