Bio

Michael has an active land use and zoning practice in Miami-Dade County, with a broad specialization in Miami Beach, where he frequently appears in front of the City Commission, Historic Preservation Board, Design Review Board, the Board of Adjustment, and the Planning Board. Michael also does work in Bay Harbour, Sunny Isles, Key Biscayne, Aventura and Bal Harbour. Additionally, his practice extends to appellate litigation matters before the Eleventh Judicial Circuit’s Appellate Division and the Third District Court of Appeal.

Prior to joining the firm and becoming a shareholder, he practiced with the land use and zoning group of Bilzin and Sumberg in Miami. Following graduation from law school, Michael clerked for the Honorable David L. Levy of the Third District Court of Appeal for two years.

The Best Lawyers in America and The Legal 500 have consistently recognized Michael as a top lawyer in the practice of Land Use and Zoning on their yearly publications for the last 10 years.

As an active member of the Miami Beach Community, Michael had the distinct honor of being elected to the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors in 2019. He is also a member of the Advisory Boards for The Wolfsonian-FIU Museum and the FIU Miami Beach Urban Studios.

He graduated from the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University (Bachelor of Science in the Foreign Service, 1989) and the University of Miami School of Law (J.D., Honors, 1995). While in law school, Michael was a member of the University of Miami Law Review, University of Miami Moot Court Board, Phi Delta Phi, and the Eugene P. Spellman Chapter of the American Inns of Court.


Awards & Recognition

  • BV® Distinguished Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
  • The Legal 500 United States, Leading Land Use/Zoning Lawyer in U.S. (2015, 2016)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® Land Use and Zoning, 2014-present
  • Humanitarian of the Year, Fight Sports Miami Jiu-Jitzu (2018)

Practice Specialties

  • Land Use and Zoning Matters
  • Appellate Litigation

Admission

Florida


Education

  • J.D., University of Miami, School of Law, 1995
  • B.S., Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service, 1989

Community

  • Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Past Executive Committee and Current Board of Governors
  • The Wolfsonian-FIU Advisory Board Member
  • SAVE Foundation, Member
  • Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, Board of Directors, Former Member

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