TAMPA, FL – Shumaker Partner and Litigation and Disputes Regional Service Line Leader Michele Leo Hintson has been re-appointed to the Florida Bar’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and she has been asked to serve on the Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee for a one-year term, which starts July 1.
Michele has been a member of the Florida Bar’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee since 2020, and she currently serves as Co-Chair of the Gender Equality Subcommittee. The mission of the committee is to increase diversity and inclusion in The Florida Bar so that the Bar reflects the demographics of the state, to develop opportunities for community involvement, and to make leadership roles within the profession and The Florida Bar accessible to all attorneys, including those who are racially, ethnically and culturally diverse; women; members of the LGBTQ community; and persons with disabilities.
The Florida Bar’s Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee assists the Florida Governor and the judicial nominating commission (JNC) in discharging their respective duties under Article V, Section 11 of the Florida Constitution.
The Committee offers assistance to the Governor with organizing and presenting an annual training program for all JNC commissioners, which provides authoritative information on judicial selection and the judicial nominating process. It also acts as a forum for the mutual exchange of information amongst the commissioners.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve on both Florida Bar committees with such a professional and dedicated group of lawyers who are committed to take active roles within these committees to ensure the highest standards of legal professionalism in Florida,” said Michele.
With more than 20 years of experience, Michele is a seasoned business litigator and Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator who dedicates her practice to representing individuals and a variety of businesses, including insurance companies, for profit entities, and health care organizations, with their litigation needs. She also works closely with transactional attorneys to analyze risk during the inception of a business relationship and engages with clients in various industries both during and after litigation. Working with plaintiffs and defendants in litigation, she focuses on all aspects of the dispute resolution process.
In addition to Michele’s litigation practice, she regularly advises clients on pre-litigation legal matters, including employment concerns, surety related claims, construction defect and performance matters, and contractual obligations. Michele has established a record for successfully handling a wide variety of commercial disputes to their conclusion.