ABOUT • TESTIMONIALS • ENDORSEMENTS
TESTIMONIALS
“Michelle Suskauer is the right choice to lead The Florida Bar as its President. As a member of the Board of Governors, I have seen firsthand Michelle’s tireless work on the Board. And perhaps as importantly to all of us, Michelle took an early, public, and strong stance last year against reciprocity. Michelle Suskauer is the right choice.”
John H. (Jack) Hickey
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 11th Circuit
Past President Dade County Bar Association
“As a fellow Board of Governor’s member, I have observed her thoughtful consideration of issues brought to the Board for resolution, her outstanding leadership capabilities with each and every committee she has served on, and her unique ability to build consensus among Board members, particularly with respect to those difficult and potentially divisive issues that sometimes face our Board. I am supporting Michelle Suskauer for President of the Florida Bar because in my view she possesses a unique combination of experience, leadership ability and high moral character essential to serve in this extremely important position in our Bar. As a sole practitioner, Michelle will undoubtedly bring a refreshing and unique perspective to the Florida Bar Presidency.”
Wayne Helsby
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 9th Circuit
Past President Orange County Bar Association
Past President Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors
Past Chair, Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar
“Michelle understands the issues The Florida Bar and our profession face. She will be an effective advocate on these issues. Her proven leadership skills will be invaluable. She is a consummate consensus builder who will serve us with dignity and pride.”
Howard Coker
Past President, The Florida Bar
Past President, Florida Justice Association
“Michelle is awesome! She is upbeat, positive and will build upon the hard work and progress of The Florida Bar.”
Sam Masters
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 7th circuit
“As a long-standing member of the Board of Governors, Michelle has been a tireless advocate for protecting the integrity of the practice of law. She is tenacious, thought provoking and dedicated, and will make an excellent leader of The Florida Bar.”
Ron Ponzoli
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 15th Circuit
“Michelle has been preparing her entire legal career to head our organization. She is very aware of the current difficult issues we face and is prepared to address them.”
Stephen Zack
American Bar Association Past President
“Michelle is a leader’s leader. She spends a lot of time to select and appoint the right leaders and then gives them discretion to apply their own creativity and lead others.”
Adam Rabin
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 15th Circuit
Past President Palm Beach County Bar Association
“Michelle is perfectly suited to be our next Florida Bar president because she’s dedicated, enthusiastic, and well regarded as a true bar leader amongst local bar members, the judiciary, and fellow members of the Board of Governors.”
Adam Rabinowitz
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 17th Circuit
Past President B’nai Brith Justice Unit
“Michelle embodies the diversity that we should be seeking for the highest post in The Florida Bar leadership. Her intellect, compassion, drive, and energy will make her an outstanding president who will serve in earnest to represent the interests of all attorneys and to protect the citizens of the State of Florida.”
Tasha Dickinson
Past President State FAWL
“Michelle has led, and has led well, every major committee of the Board of The Florida Bar. She is dedicated, passionate and committed to the attorneys of our state. We would be very well served with Michelle at our helm.”
Paul SanGiovanni
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 9th Circuit
Past President OCBA
“Michelle Suskauer’s work ethic is relentless! I have had the privilege of working with her on the Board of Governors for the last 7 years. Michelle is one of the hardest working members of the Board having chaired key committees. She is extremely serious about her duties as a leader in the Florida Bar, in what I believe to be the best bar association in the nation. As the owner of her own small law firm, she is keenly aware of the challenges facing the practitioner and the profession at large. She will provide level-headed leadership as well as a listening ear to all the lawyers of Florida.”
Mary Ann Morgan
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 9th Circuit
Past President Orange County Bar Association
“In Michelle, we will get a Florida Bar President who stands up for lawyers. Her accessibility, her passion for justice and fairness, and her deep concern for the quality of lawyering in Florida are all qualities that make her the perfect choice to lead Florida’s lawyers.”
Brian Tannebaum
Past President FACDL
“I believe Michelle exemplifies all that is best in the legal profession. Her unwavering commitment to the principle of equal justice for all combined with her legal expertise, integrity and compassion define her as the ideal candidate for this prestigious position. I am proud to support Michelle Suskauer’s candidacy for President-elect of The Florida Bar.”
Robert Bertisch
Executive Director Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
“In a room with Michelle, she garners everyone’s respect. Her professionalism, vitality, understanding, trustworthiness and consensus building, are a few of the strong reasons why I join with other Bar leaders endorsing Michelle for Bar President.”
Michael Gelfand
Immediate Past Chair Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar
“I first met Michelle on the Board of Governors in 2010 when I was serving as President of the Young Lawyers Division. It was evident then, and it is evident now, how much she cares about Florida lawyers. She works tirelessly for our profession and volunteers her time and energy on the local and state level to make the lives of Florida lawyers better. Her dedication is evident in all that she does, and her enthusiasm is contagious. I proudly support Michelle’s candidacy to be our Bar President.”
Renee Thompson
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 5th Circuit
Past President, Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors
Past President, Marion County Bar Association
“I am supporting Michelle because she understands the important issues facing our profession and the practice of law in Florida. I am confident that she will be an effective advocate for our profession, for our practicing lawyers, and that she will provide needed leadership in dealing with these issues.”
Alan Dimond
Past President of The Florida Bar
“I have observed Michelle’s dedication to the lawyers and judges of Palm Beach County for years, even before she started serving on the Board of Governors. She is now ready to serve all Florida attorneys with a passion for the law and a commitment to lead all attorneys with fairness and the same dedication.”
Tod Aronovitz
Past President of The Florida Bar
“With Michelle Suskauer as president of The Florida Bar, the everyday lawyer will have someone on their side and one who will protect and preserve the practice of law. As an active practitioner with her own firm, Michelle Suskauer knows what it means to make a payroll. She has a full grasp of the administration of justice and the workings of the bar.”
Edward Blumberg
Past President of The Florida Bar
“When I joined the Board of Governors, I was impressed with Michelle’s level of commitment and enthusiasm in ensuring that all of the new members could hit the ground running. She put together substantive training programs and resource guides to make the transition easy for all of us. Paving the path for others is part of who Michelle is and it speaks volumes of her leadership style. Of course, this is in addition to the ongoing leadership roles she has held for years on the Board and in her community. Michelle never gets tired or discouraged and no mater the task at hand, she finds a way.”
Deborah Baker
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 9th Circuit
Past President Miami-Dade FAWL
“Michelle stands out as an exceptional leader, bringing energy, passion and great judgment to her bar service. She strives to help Florida lawyers and will be an outstanding president.”
Steven Davis
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 11th Circuit
Past President Dade County Bar Association
“Michelle Suskauer is passionate and totally committed to improving the profession and the lives of all who are connected with it. She has no hidden agenda, no ulterior motive; she is the best kind of leader. I have worked closely with Michelle on the Florida Bar Board of Governors since 2013, and have seen her work through lawyer disciplinary cases, taking into account the interests of the public, the interests of the profession and the individuals involved, to make certain the resolution was just and reasonable. On the Executive Committee, she makes sure that views are sought out, listened to, and respected. She works extremely hard and accomplishes impressive results. She would be a great Florida Bar President. I support her wholeheartedly, and hope you will as well.”
Leslie J. Lott
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 11th Circuit
“Michelle is a consensus builder who will listen to the membership and work with the Board of Governors to do what is best for our profession and our members.”
Dori Foster-Morales
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 11th Circuit
“Michelle Suskauer exemplifies professionalism and civility. We have always had an excellent working relationship even when we are on opposite side of cases in criminal court. As Bar President, Michelle will know how to bring people together.”
Dave Aronberg
State Attorney Palm Beach County
“She has displayed leadership in many positions over the years with great dedication to serving our legal profession. Moreover, working at a small firm for most of her career helps her understand the challenges that all lawyers are facing these days. She’s a great leader, listener and communicator.”
Gary Lesser
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 15th Circuit
“As a small firm owner, Michelle understands the challenges and opportunities unique to solo/small firm lawyers. Through her 25 years as a criminal defense attorney, she has honed her consensus building skills. Combine that with her genuine love of people, and you have the makings of an outstanding Florida Bar President. Michelle has my vote!”
Barbara Leach
Past President CFAWL
“I am supporting Michelle’s candidacy because of her manifest commitment to the preservation of our administration of justice… and to The Florida Bar.”
Burton Young
Past President, The Florida Bar
“I respect Michelle Suskauer as a skilled and principled attorney, and a leader of the Bar who will bring common sense to bear on the practice law in Florida. I support her wholeheartedly for this important office, and I urge you to give her your support as well.”
Charles M. Trippe, Jr.
Former Chair, Florida Bar Grievance Committee, 4th Circuit
“Michelle impressed me when she spoke at our local county bar association meeting. She enthusiastically presented the reason for her candidacy and convincingly explained why she was running and how her presidency would benefit solo and small firms, as well as large firms. Having worked with a large law firm, I know that each of those partners are effectively solo and small firms, because each has his or her own clients, associate(s), staff, caseloads, and billable hour requirements. Regardless as to the firm’s size, Michelle will benefit every member of the bar. “
Jack Merritt
Chair Emeritus of the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section of the Florida Bar
“Michelle is a small firm lawyer like a vast majority of Florida Bar members. She knows their struggles and will listen to their voices during these challenging times. She is a consensus builder who will be a tremendous leader for all Florida lawyers. Since I joined the Board of Governors, I have personally witnessed her tireless dedication to the lawyers of Florida and all Floridians.”
Joshua T. Chilson
The Florida Bar Board of Governors, 6th Circuit
Past President Clearwater Bar Association