Mike was raised in Tampa and attended Jesuit High School, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He went on to earn his Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Stetson University College of Law in 2001.  While at Stetson he earned the Victor O. Wehle Award for excellence in trial advocacy.  

 

In 2001, upon his graduation from  law school and admission to the Florida Bar, Mike served as an assistant state attorney, for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, in and for Hillsborough County.  Mike left the State Attorney's Office in 2004, to concentrate his practice on zealously defending those charged with violating Federal and State crimes.  He has extensive experience in private practice defending those charged with First Degree and "Life" Felonies, including "white collar" or financial crimes, racketeering and fraud, and trafficking and drug crimes.  Mike has tried over one hundred (100) cases to verdict. 

 

Mike also utilizes his expansive courtroom experience to passionately advocate for those policyholders (individuals and corporations) wronged by insurance companies.  Mike aggressively litigates all matters pertaining to the rights of an insured in all first-party actions, including undervaluation and underpayment of a claim, denial of coverage, and insurer bad faith.

 

Mike also vigorously represents clients in all contract disputes, where a party's rights and the duties owed under that contract are being neglected by the other party. 

 

Mike is fluent in Spanish and is admitted to practice before all state courts in Florida, and in the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.