150 2nd Ave. N., Suite 770 Saint Petersburg, FL 33701
(737) 300.1399
michael@phlfirm.com

Michael J. Labbee

Partner

Background

Michael represents clients in all aspects of complex litigation in state and federal courts throughout Florida. His experience includes litigating a variety of tort claims, contract breaches, products liability issues, and real estate disputes. In addition to his significant trial practice, Michael has also served as appellate counsel for clients in each of Florida’s five district courts of appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Michael received his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida and his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. While attending Stetson, Michael received high grade awards in Trial Advocacy and Products Liability, completed Stetson’s Honors Program, worked as a research assistant for professors Tim Kaye and Jason Bent, and served as a Notes and Comments Editor for the Stetson Law Review.

Representative Trial Experience:

• Obtained a $4.4 Million jury verdict on a claim for tortious interference with a contractual relationship.

• Defending a global company against class action claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) for unpaid benefits and breach of fiduciary duty related to the company’s employee health benefit plan.

• Secured a favorable final judgment for a national corporation after a two-week trial on a claim for breach of contract related to the failed development of 50+ acres of waterfront property. The final judgment was affirmed in full on appeal.

Representative Appellate Experience:

• Reversed a final summary judgment in favor of the defendant with published opinion. The Bank of New York Mellon v. Daniel Stallbaum, 230 So. 3d 1271 (Fla. 5th DCA 2017).

• Defeated emergency petiti0n for writs of prohibition and certiorari. Maggy Hurchalla v. Lake Point Phase I, LLC and Lake Point Phase II, LLC, Case No. 4D18-0764

Awards and Recognition:

• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated

• Selected for inclusion in Floria Super Lawyers® – Rising Stars (2017-present)

• Named to Florida Trend’s Legal Elite Up and Comers list (2018)

Professional and Community Involvement:

• The Tampa Connection (Class of 2016-2017; Board of Directors 2017-2019)

• Great Futures Professional Council for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay (Founding Member and President-Elect)