Profile
Michael J. Thomas is Co-Chair of the National Construction Law Practice. Michael is a “go to” litigator and construction attorney for complex construction litigation and real estate focused commercial disputes. Michael is an accomplished litigator with significant courtroom experience, who works with his clients to find practical and effective, out-of-court resolutions whenever possible. Michael represented many of the largest development companies in Florida and represents and counsels his developer clients in all aspects of the design, development and construction of residential, commercial and mixed-use real estate development projects, including construction contract negotiation, design services contract negotiation, construction financing, insurance, contract administration, risk management, suretyship, mechanic’s lien law, construction and design defect litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. Michael is also board certified by The Florida Bar in construction law. City & State Florida recently named Michael to the "Construction Power 100" list.
Concentrations
- Construction
- Architecture, engineering and design
- Insurance
- Bonds and suretyship
- Condominiums
- Mass torts
- Business litigation
- Real estate litigation
- Trial and appellate practice
Capabilities
Experience
- Lead trial counsel for three defendants in the In re: Champlain Towers South Collapse Litigation and spearheaded multi-party defense efforts and acted as the functional equivalent of defense liaison counsel resulting in the second largest class action settlement in Florida history.
- Represented a developer/owner of a “Class-A” office tower in a construction defect claim against the general contractor and surety and obtained a multi-million dollar settlement.
- Represented the developer/owner of a luxury hotel in a construction defect claim against the hotel’s general contractor and obtained a multimillion-dollar settlement.
- Resolved a $30 million construction and design defect claim against the developer of a luxury, high-rise condominium in downtown Miami.
- Successfully resolved a multimillion-dollar construction and defect claim against the developer of a mixed use condominium hotel in Miami.
- Resolved dozens of multimillion-dollar construction and design defect lawsuits and disputes against his developer/owner clients of all types of residential developments.
- Representation of developers of condominiums and planned development projects.
- Representation of developers in the negotiation of contracts for the design and construction of luxury condominiums and market-rate, multi-family residential projects.
- Obtained multimillion-dollar jury trial verdict for full award sought against a luxury high-rise condominium association in a two-week jury trial.°
- Resolved a $15 million construction delay and completion claim brought by a leading national construction company for completion of a 500-unit condominium complex in downtown Miami.°
- Represented the developer of a distressed downtown Miami high-rise condominium in the close-out of all construction liens, loan restructuring and release of guarantee on a $140 million syndicated loan agreement.°
- Resolved a $5.5 million construction and design defect claim brought against the developer of a 67-unit ultra-luxury South Beach condominium.°
- Negotiated a favorable settlement for owners of a 12-building affordable housing complex in Tampa, FL after a five-year lawsuit against the contractor who built the complex, including the coordination of mold remediation, tenant relocation and construction repairs.°
- Obtained a settlement on a lawsuit brought on behalf the owners of an $11 million Star Island, Miami Beach home for construction and design defects against the architect, contractor and numerous subcontractors who designed and built the house.°
- Resolved a $3 million construction and design defect claim brought against the developer of a 308-unit ultra-luxury condominium located in Fort Lauderdale Beach.°
- Resolved a $4 million construction and design defect lawsuit brought against the developer of a 197-unit luxury condominium located in West Palm Beach.°
- Resolved a $5 million construction and design defect claim brought against the developer of a 500-unit condominium located in Aventura.°
- Resolved a $2 million construction and design defect claim brought against the developer of a 386-unit luxury condominium located in Hallandale Beach.°
- Resolved $2 million construction and design defect claim brought against the developer of a 500-unit loft style condominium located in downtown Miami.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Thomas prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, Law360, "MVP - Construction," 2023
- Team Member, U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, Best Law Firms Edition, "Law Firm of the Year," Real Estate - Litigation, 2017 and 2022
- Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2020-2023
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law, 2019-2024
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Real Estate and Construction - Construction, 2016 and 2019-2022
- Team Member, Chambers & Partners USA Real Estate Law Firm of the Year, 2017-2018 and 2022
- Listed, City & State Florida, "Construction Power 100, "2023
- Team Member, a Law360 "Construction Practice Group of the Year," 2020, 2022
- Listed, South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Up-and-Comer," 2020-2021
- Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar
- Team Member, a Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year," 2015 and 2022
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, "Rising Star," 2009-2011
- Member, American Bar Association, Construction Law Section
- Member, Florida Bar Association, Construction Law Committee
- Member, Miami-Dade County Bar Association
Credentials
Education
- J.D., cum laude, University of Florida Levin College of Law
- B.S., magna cum laude, University of Florida
Admissions
- Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida