Skip to Content
Protecting the ideas that enhance our world and improve business processes comes naturally to Michael. Early on in his education he focused his studies on business administration and computer and information sciences. This early interest in business and technology, coupled with the onset of an expanding need for businesses to be proactive in protecting their proprietary rights, led Michael to pursue a legal career focused primarily on working with businesses and their intellectual property.
Counseling, troubleshooting, and resolving matters regarding protection, registration and infringement of trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, domain names, and computer software are just some of the ways he helps his clients.
Well respected among his peers, Michael previously served as Chairman of The Florida Bar’s Intellectual Property Law Committee. Later, he spearheaded a task force to update Florida’s Trademark Act to respond to changes in federal law and to expand the protections afforded owners of Florida trademark registrations. Most recently, Michael served as Chairman of the IP Certification Committee of The Florida Bar, a committee he has been a member of since its inception. Michael frequently lectures on intellectual property law issues.
Michael is Chairman of Aish South Florida and has been affiliated with Aish since 1989. He taught a weekly course on Jewish Ethics at Aish for over five years and continues to give regular classes there on a variety of subjects. To read more about his work with Aish visit www.aishfl.com.
- Making Infringement Costly: Michael advised a client on how to best obtain copyright protection for its copyrighted database. Subsequently, when the client learned that its rights were being infringed, our team successfully represented the client through trial, where the jury upheld the client’s copyright and awarded the client in excess of $1 million in damage.
- Low-Cost Resolution: In a not-so-unusual case, Michael represented a client accused of trademark infringement and successfully convinced the plaintiff to drop its claim after preparing a detailed assessment demonstrating no infringement. What made the case noteworthy is that the client expected the legal fees to be much higher. The client had asked to assume the lion’s share of the case investigation, with Michael’s involvement limited to crafting the legal arguments based upon the client’s work. The client was thrilled to play an integral role in the process and gratified by the favorable result.
- University of Miami School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1988
- University of Florida, B.S.B.A., with honors, 1985 (Major: Computer and Information Sciences)
- Florida, 1988
- U.S. District Court, Southern and Middle Districts of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Florida Bar Board Certified in Intellectual Property Law
- Florida Supreme Court Certified “Circuit Civil” Mediator
- Spearheaded passage of Florida’s “Registration and Protection of Trademarks Act,” 2006
Super Lawyers, Florida Super Lawyers magazine - (“Top 100 Lawyers in Florida” in 2009 and 2010)
Top Lawyers in South Florida, South Florida Legal Guide - “The Best Lawyers in America,” Intellectual Property Law
- Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell
- Outstanding Member of the Year, Florida Bar Business Law Section, 2006
- “Legal Elite,” Florida Trend magazine
- University of Miami Law Review, Managing Editor, 1987-1988
- The Florida Bar, Intellectual Property Law Certification Committee, Chairman 2010-2011
- The Florida Bar Business Law Section, Membership Committee, Vice Chair 2010-2011
- The Florida Bar Business Law Section, Legislation Committee, 2007-2009
- The Florida Bar Business Law Section, CLE Committee 2006-2007, Vice Chair 2011-2012
- The Florida Bar Intellectual Property Law Committee, Chairman, 1999-2001
International Trademark Association, Information - Resources Committee, Chairman, 1999-2002
Dade County Bar Association - American Bar Association
- Aish South Florida, Chairman
- Young Israel of Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale, former Member of Board of Directors
- Yeshiva Toras Chaim and Toras Emes Academy of Miami, Member of Board of Directors, 2004 – present
- City of Hollywood Baseball League, Coach and Sponsor, 2003 – 2006