Michael A. Hanzman

Michael A. Hanzman, Former Florida Circuit Court Judge, is Senior Counsel in the firm’s Litigation Group, where he focuses his practice on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including private judging, arbitration, and mediation. Michael also employs his extensive experience and legal acumen to strategize and consult on trial and appellate matters.
 
Michael served as a Circuit Court Judge for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida for 12 years, building on his decades-long success as a commercial litigator in private practice. As a Circuit Judge and Appellate Judge by designation, Michael authored more than 200 published legal opinions and orders during his tenure and presided over a number of seminal cases in the state, including the $1.1 billion settlement in the high-profile Surfside condo collapse case. In addition to his most recent role as a Complex Business Litigation Division Judge, he also worked in the Circuit Court’s juvenile and criminal divisions. 
 
During his time on the bench, Michael was a passionate advocate of children’s rights, taking on issues involving adoption, mental health services, and funding for caregivers of foster children. He has also been recognized with multiple awards and honors, including the 2023 Jurist of the Year Award from The American Board of Trial Advocates Florida Chapter, the 2023 Judicial Achievement Award from Florida Justice Association, the 2022 William H. Hoeveler Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Miami School of Law’s Center for Ethics & Public Service, the 2022 Equal Justice Judicial Leadership Award from Legal Services of Greater Miami, and the 2022 William Hoeveler/Jack Welsh Innovation Award from the American Inns of Court.