Experience
Since starting with the Firm in 1988, Michael’s practice has concentrated on bankruptcy and insolvency related Litigation.
Michael has represented corporate and individual debtors, secured creditors, equipment lenders, landlords, creditor’s committees, trustees and petitioning creditors in involuntary bankruptcies.
Michael also has substantial experience in receivership cases.
Distinctions & Memberships
- The Best Lawyers in America© since 2008, in the fields of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Admitted to the Florida Bar – 1988
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th and 9th Circuits
- U.S. District Court, Middle, Southern and Northern Districts of Florida
- Clearwater Bar Association Member
- Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Named to Florida’s Legal Elite 2011-2013
Education
- Florida State University B.S., summa cum laude – 1985
- Florida State University J.D., with honors – 1988
- In re Alvarez, 224 F.3d 127 (11th Cir. 2000)
- V.S. v. DeMarco, 256 B.R. 320 (M.D. Fla. 2000)
- In re Scrap Metal Buyers of Tampa, Inc., 253 B.R. 103 (M.D. Fla. 2000)
- Stewart v. Tasnet, Inc., 718 So.2d 820 (Fla. App. 2 Dist. 1998)
- O’Neal v. Sun Bank, 644 So.2d 177 (Fla. App. 5 Dist. 1994)
- Campbell v. Smith, 571 So.2d 91 (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 1990)
- Cove Cay Village IV Condominium Ass’n, Inc. v. Plymouth Development Corp., 561 So.2d 307 (Fla. App. 2 Dist. 1990)
- In re Guardianship of Browning, 543 So.2d 258 (Fla. App. 2Dist. 1989)
- Colonial Daytona Ltd. Partnership v. American Sav. Of Florida, F.S.B., 152 B.R. 996 (M.D. Fla. 1993)
- In re REB & B, Inc., 200 B.R. 262 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1996)
- In re Gentri, 185 B.R. 368 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1995)
- In re Noll, 172 B.R. 122 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1994)
- In re Immenhausen Corporation, 166 B.R. 449 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1994)
- In re Schmidt, 164 B.R. 696 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1994)
- In re Schmidt, 156 B.R. 680 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1993)
- In re Weinhardt, 156 B.R. 677 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1993)
- In re AT Engineering, Inc., 142 B.R. 990 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1992)
- In re Weinhardt, 142 B.R. 984 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1992)
- Scrap Metal Buyers v. Charels Bluestone Co., 214 B.R. 509 (M.D. Fla. 1997)
- In re West Lakeland Land Co. Ltd., 216 B.R. 892 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1998)
- In re Psychiatric Hospitals of Florida, 217 B.R. 645 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1997)
- In re Condec, Inc., 225 B.R. 800 (M.D. Fla. 1998)
- In re Tower Environmental, Inc., 217 B.R. 645 (Banker, M.D. Fla. 1997)
- Epic Metals Corp. v. Condec, 232 B.R. 806 (M.D. Fla. 1999)
- In re Gulfstar Industries, Inc., 236 B.R. 75 (Bkrptcy. M.D. Fla. 1999)
Articles
- 48 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023—Four recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- Seven Johnson Pope Partners Recognized as Florida Legal Elite
- Florida’s 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 18 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- 46 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized In The Best Lawyers In America® 2022—Five Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- 47 Lawyers From Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized By Best Lawyers® 2021 – Four Recognized As “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- Florida Super Lawyers Recognizes 23 Attorneys from Johnson Pope
- 36 Lawyers From Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized In Best Lawyers In America® 2020 – Three Recognized As “Lawyer Of The Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- Florida Super Lawyers Recognizes 24 Attorneys From Johnson Pope
- Sale of PenAir assets to Ravn affiliate approved in bankruptcy court
- The Legacy of Anna Nicole Smith’s Bankruptcy
- Important New Law on Securing Collateral
News
- 48 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023—Four recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- Seven Johnson Pope Partners Recognized as Florida Legal Elite
- Florida’s 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 18 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- 46 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized In The Best Lawyers In America® 2022—Five Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- 47 Lawyers From Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized By Best Lawyers® 2021 – Four Recognized As “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- Florida Super Lawyers Recognizes 23 Attorneys from Johnson Pope
- 36 Lawyers From Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized In Best Lawyers In America® 2020 – Three Recognized As “Lawyer Of The Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- Florida Super Lawyers Recognizes 24 Attorneys From Johnson Pope
- Sale of PenAir assets to Ravn affiliate approved in bankruptcy court
- 32 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized in “The Best Lawyers in America®” 2019 – Three Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in Their Respective Practice Areas
- 30 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized in “The Best Lawyers in America®” 2018 and Two Partners as “Lawyer of the Year” in Their Areas of Practice
- Best Lawyers 2016
- ‘Florida Super Lawyers’ Recognizes 17 Attorneys from Johnson Pope
- 14 JP Lawyers Listed as “Best Lawyers 2014”