Michael is originally from New York, where he initially practiced law and is still admitted to the New York Bar. He moved to Miami after his admission to the Florida Bar in 1974 and where he has practiced law since then, being recognized as a Fifty Year Member of the Florida Bar in 2024.
His practice encompasses all areas of Business Law, both transactional and litigation. He actively practices commercial and corporate litigation, including asset protection and debtor-creditor law as well as construction law, real estate litigation, business torts including interference with economic relations, trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, deceptive and unfair trade practices, intellectual property and unfair competition and professional negligence to include attorney, architect, engineer and accountant malpractice.
In his fifty years of practice, Michael has tried numerous cases to conclusion before juries, judges, and appellate and arbitration panels.
Prior to joining Vernis & Bowling Michael was the managing partner of the Miami office of a statewide firm and prior to then he managed his own firm for 27 years.
After law school Michael served on active duty with the United States Army as a First Lieutenant where he was detailed to the Judge Advocate General’s Corps to assist an overworked office.
Michael has served as President of the Miami Beach Bar Association as well as being a Director of that Association. Previously he has served on committees of the Miami Dade County Bar Association presently serving on its corporate law committee.
After a long career in the law Michael still finds the practice to be exciting and rewarding and he has no plans of slowing down. He still enjoys learning about each client’s business and how he can help his client keep their businesses successful.
Michael resides in the Brickell area of Miami with his wife Susan. His son Josh is a mortgage banker and his daughter Jessica is a lawyer in Atlanta. He has four grandchildren and hopes one of them will become a lawyer.