Michael R. Levin

Partner

Orlando
T +1.407.649.4698
F +1.407.841.0168

Overview

Mike Levin is a trial lawyer with experience as lead counsel in more than 60 trials and arbitrations. His broad commercial litigation practice involves all forms of business disputes, with an emphasis on real estate and intellectual property matters. He frequently represents clients in the aerospace, manufacturing, real estate development and healthcare industries, and he also has substantial experience representing attorneys and accountants in professional liability matters and in partnership disputes.

In addition, Mike maintains an appellate practice, with appearances in more than 75 appeals in all Florida appellate courts, the Ninth and Eleventh federal circuits and in appellate courts in several other states.

Select Experience

  • Represented a prime contractor on the United States space shuttle in obtaining a summary judgment finding that the terminated supplier did not own trade secrets in separation bolts and other hardware used on the shuttle's solid rocket booster. Obtained a jury verdict after a 10-week jury trial determining that the supplier was properly terminated for cause. Hi-Shear Technology Corporation v. United Space Alliance, 949 So.2d 1044 (Fla. 5th DCA 2007); 1 So.3d 195 (Fla. 5th DCA 2008)
  • Obtained a summary judgment in favor of a client accused of tortious interference relating to the successful award of a fuel services contract at Tocumen Airport in the Republic of Panama. Allied Services v. ASIG Holdings, Case No. 2011-CA-01578-O, in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, in and for Orange County, Florida, per curiam affirmed Allied Services v. ASIG Holdings, 222 So.3d 1226 (Fla. 5th DCA 2017)
  • Represented the holder of a patent on seeds and plants producing long-shelf-life tomatoes in a successful claim against an infringer passing off the patented seeds as a competing brand. Agricultural Seed Technologies v. LSL Biotechnologies, Case No. 91-572-CIV-ORL-19 (M. D. Fla.)
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Experience

  • Represented a prime contractor on the United States space shuttle in obtaining a summary judgment finding that the terminated supplier did not own trade secrets in separation bolts and other hardware used on the shuttle's solid rocket booster. Obtained a jury verdict after a 10-week jury trial determining that the supplier was properly terminated for cause. Hi-Shear Technology Corporation v. United Space Alliance, 949 So.2d 1044 (Fla. 5th DCA 2007); 1 So.3d 195 (Fla. 5th DCA 2008)
  • Obtained a summary judgment in favor of a client accused of tortious interference relating to the successful award of a fuel services contract at Tocumen Airport in the Republic of Panama. Allied Services v. ASIG Holdings, Case No. 2011-CA-01578-O, in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, in and for Orange County, Florida, per curiam affirmed Allied Services v. ASIG Holdings, 222 So.3d 1226  (Fla. 5th DCA 2017)
  • Represented the holder of a patent on seeds and plants producing long-shelf-life tomatoes in a successful claim against an infringer passing off the patented seeds as a competing brand. Agricultural Seed Technologies v. LSL Biotechnologies, Case No. 91-572-CIV-ORL-19 (M. D. Fla.)
  • Represented a developer in the successful defense of a claim for fraud and breach of contract in a commercial real estate transaction for the development of an apartment project. The Dawning Ltd v. MGIC, 477 So.2d 1033 (Fla. 5th DCA 1985)
  • Represented a personal injury law firm against two departed associates in the enforcement of post-termination fee allocation provisions in employment contracts in what has become a leading Florida case on the enforceability of such agreements. Miller and Rand v. Jacobs & Goodman, 639 So.2d 1088 (Fla. 5th DCA 1994); 699 So.2d 729 (Fla. 5th DCA 1997)
  • Represented a local business in the resolution of a trademark dispute concerning the enforceability of the trademark. 800 Flowers v. Intercontinental Florist, Case No. 94-664-CIV-ORL-19 (M.D. Fla.)
  • Represented a website developer in a trademark claim in what has become a leading case on the limits of personal jurisdiction based upon website interactivity. Cybersell v. Cybersell, 130 F.3d 414 (9th Cir. 1997)
  • Successfully represented a developer in an action to set aside a retroactive height ordinance targeting the client's proposed condominium towers. Two 18-story and one 14-story building were developed and sold as a result of the case. DiMucci Development Corporation v. Daytona Beach Shores, Case No. 98-541-CIV-ORL-19B (M.D.Fla.)
  • Represented a client in complex litigation involving disputes relating to several different real estate transactions that were resolved after receiving favorable legal rulings. Hi-Acres v. Hiresh, Case No. 04-CA-7163 in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, in and for Orange County, Florida.
  • Served as counsel in a successful arbitration award that removed for cause the general partner of a golf course limited partnership. Award was affirmed against an appellate challenge. RDC v. Apostolicas, 925 So.2d 1082 (Fla. 5th DCA 2006)
  • Represented the space shuttle's prime contractor in the resolution of a construction dispute related to renovation of the Vehicle Assembly Building doors at Cape Canaveral. United Space Alliance v. Reynolds, Smith & Hills, Case No. 05-2007-CA-16477 in the Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, in and for Brevard County, Florida.
  • Represented the owner of multiple fixed-base operators (FBO) in the resolution of a dispute with the city of Kansas City, Missouri, relating to the downtown airport.

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • The Best Lawyers in America® (2013 to Present)
    • Florida: Real Estate Law
    • Florida: Commercial Litigation
    • Florida: Litigation – Intellectual Property
  • Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Florida Bar Association
  • Orange County Bar Association
  • American Board of Trial Advocates, Central Florida Chapter

Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1997
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 2016
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, 2016
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1984
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1983
  • Florida, 1982

Education

  • J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law, 1982; with honors; Title Standards Editor, University of Florida Law Review
  • B.S.B.A., Accounting, University of Florida, 1979