Michelle Suskauer a managing partner of , a boutique criminal defense firm located in West Palm Beach, FL. Michelle began her legal career as an assistant public defender in West Palm Beach. She has been practicing in Palm Beach County since 1991 with a focus in criminal law in both state and federal courts. She and her law firm have handled thousands of criminal cases.
Michelle is the President-Elect of The Florida Bar for 2017-2018. She has also served on The Florida Bar Board of Governors.
Michelle is an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, which indicates that an attorney has reached “the height of professional excellence” and is recognized for the “highest skill and integrity.”
Michelle Suskauer is the best attorney! She has strong negotiating skills, lots of experience with the court system and is a true professional.
– J.O.
Michelle is one of the most experienced, dedicated and compassionate trial lawyers in Palm Beach County. She is highly regarded by judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and her peers. She is known for her creative solutions to complicated problems and for her client advocacy. She is passionate about helping her clients receive the needed services to correct their circumstances so that they do not become repeat offenders.
Professional Leadership
Michelle is actively involved in the leadership of numerous local and state legal organizations. She is currently President-Elect of The Florida Bar and has served on the Florida Bar Board of Governors for the 15th Judicial Circuit since 2010. She is past chair of the Board’s Disciplinary Review Committee, the Communications Committee and the 2013 Annual Convention of the Florida Bar. Michelle has served on the Executive Committee and Strategic Planning Committee of the Florida’s Bar Board of Governors for the past 3 years. She is Past-President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, Past-President of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers – Palm Beach County Chapter and currently President of the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. She has been recognized in the annual Florida Super Lawyers Magazine as one of Florida’s top criminal defense attorneys and by Florida Trend Magazine as one of Florida’s “Legal Elite” in its annual statewide poll of attorneys.
Nationally-Recognized Legal Analyst for Criminal Defense
Michelle is a nationally known legal analyst who regularly appears on CNN, FOX NEWS, MSNBC, NBC, and CNBC. She has made hundreds of television appearances including The O’Reilly Factor, The Abrams Report, The Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Hannity & Colmes, Nancy Grace, Anderson Cooper 360, and The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. Michelle is also the legal analyst for Palm Beach County’s NBC affiliate WPTV NewsChannel 5, Fox affiliate WFLX 29, NEWSRADIO 1290 WJNO, and 850 WFTL.
Some of the legal issues and cases Michelle has covered include: Trayvon Martin, O.J. Simpson, Rush Limbaugh, Jessica Lunsford, Anna Nicole Smith, Duke Lacrosse Rape Case, Debra LaFave, John Couey, Andrea Yates, Natalee Holloway, Carlie Brucia, Casey Anthony, Howard Stern and Paris Hilton.
Practice Areas
- Criminal Defense
- Domestic Violence
- DUI Offenses
- Juvenile Offenses
- Narcotics Offenses
- Sexual Offenses
- Violent Offenses
- White Collar Crimes
- Federal Offenses
Legal Experience
- Suskauer Feuer, LLC, 2016-Present
- Suskauer Law Firm, P.A., 1997-2016
- Schuler, Wilkerson, Halvorson & Williams, P.A., 1994-97
- Office of the Public Defender, 15th Judicial Circuit, 1991-94
Professional and Civic Activities
The Florida Bar
- President-Elect Designate, 2017-2018
- Board of Governors, 15th Judicial Circuit 2010-Present
- Chair, Disciplinary Review Committee 2014-2016
- Chair, Communications Committee 2013-2014
- Chair, Annual Convention Committee 2012-13
- Strategic Planning Committee 2013-Present
- Criminal Law Certification Committee 2002-06
- Program Evaluation Committee
- Communications Committee
- Disciplinary Review Committee
- Rules Committee
- UPL Circuit Committee 15A, Reviewer
- 15th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “G”
- Board of Governors Liaison to the Counsel of Sections
- Board of Governors Liaison Criminal Law Section
- Board of Governors Liaison Constitutional Judiciary
- Special Appointments
- Chair, 4th DCA JNC Screening Committee
- Chair, 15th Circuit Nominating Committee, Pro Bono Service Award
- Screening Committee for Board of Governors Public Member
- Nominating Committee Florida Bar Foundation
- Florida Board of Bar Examiners Lawyer Vacancy Screening
Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Member, 1991-Present
- President (2009-2010)
- Past Chair Bench Bar Committee
- Past Chair Criminal Practice Committee
Florida Association for Women Lawyers
- Member, 1991-Present
- President, Palm Beach County Chapter 2002-03
- Created Breakfast and Books Mentoring Program for female Juvenile offenders
- Created “Adopt-A-Case” Program
Craig S. Barnard American Inns of Court
- Emeritus Member
- Executive Committee
- Past Programming Chair
Palm Beach Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Past Board Member
American Bar Association
- Criminal Justice Section Spring Meeting, Steering Committee
Pro Bono/Community Service
- Vice President, Board of Directors, Legal Aid Society Palm Beach County
- Vice-President, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts Theater Parents Association
- Vice-Chair, Bak Middle School of the Arts Foundation
Professional Recognition
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Woman of Grace Award, 2016
- Serving Justice Award, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
- The Justice Barbara Pariente Award, FAWL, Palm Beach County
- Leader in the Law, FAWL, Palm Beach County
- Women in Power Award, National Conference of Jewish Women
- Character Counts Award, School District, Palm Beach County
- Florida Super Lawyers 2009-Present
- Florida Legal Elite
- Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
Speaking Engagements
- Guest Lecturer, Department of Juvenile Justice
- Guest Lecturer, Palm Beach County School District
- Guest Lecturer, Florida Atlantic University
Media Appearances – Legal Analyst
- NBC (The Today Show, Nightly News)
- ABC (Good Morning America)
- CNBC (The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch)
- CNN (Prime News, Anderson Cooper 360, Headline News, Nancy Grace, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell)
- Fox News (Hannity & Colmes, The O’Reilly Factor, The Line-Up)
- MSNBC (The Abrams Report, Verdict with Dan Abrams, Politics Nation)
- Newsmax
- WPTV News Channel 5
- 1290 WJNO
- 850 WFTL
Courts
- United States Supreme Court
- Supreme Court of the State of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Education
- Boston University, Bachelor of Science Communications (1988)
- The American University, Juris Doctor (1991)
Personal
Married to Scott I. Suskauer since 1993. Two daughters: Talia, 20, and Rebecca, 18.