Michele Leo Hintson

With a practice spanning more than two decades, Michele is Board Certified in Construction Law by the Florida Bar and is a seasoned complex commercial litigator and Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator. She routinely represents real estate developers, owners, contractors, sureties, manufacturers and distributors, and health care-related entities regarding all aspects of the litigation process and pre-suit counseling and negotiation. Her broad range of dispute resolution experience includes regularly handling matters related to real estate and development, commercial and residential construction, and other disputes arising from a variety of complex contract matters. In addition, Michele frequently assists clients outside of the courtroom by analyzing risk during contract negotiations or when a potential business conflict first arises. She regularly shares the knowledge and insights she has gained over the course of her career in lectures on construction law and litigation matters.

Michele is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients, frequently arguing motions and attending pre-suit hearings, taking depositions, and attending trial when necessary. However, she approaches each case with a solutions-oriented mindset and works toward an early resolution of a disputed matter, if that is the most advantageous course.

When she is not busy advocating for her clients, Michele enjoys donating her time and talent to various Tampa Bay organizations, the community where she grew up—including her involvement as a Board Member and former Chair of the Pasco Economic Development Council, with the Junior League of Tampa, where she previously served as Legal Chair and Community Advisory Board Chair, as well as spending time traveling, on the water, and cheering on the sidelines of sporting events with her husband and two sons.

Education

J.D., cum laude, Stetson University College of Law, 2002

B.A., University of Central Florida, 1995

Professional and Community Affiliations

• Leadership Tampa, Class of 2019
• Pasco Economic Development Council Board of Directors (2017-Present)
  • Immediate Past Chair
  • Chair (2023-2024)
  • Growth Task Force, Vice-Chair (2015-2016)
• The Florida Bar
  • Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee, Past Member
  • Gender Equality Subcommittee of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Past Member
  • Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Past Member
  • Professional Ethics Committee, Member (2016-2019)
• Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “B,” Member and Chair (2012-2015)
• Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee “A,” Former Member and Chair (2006-2012)
• PACE Center for Girls Pasco, Board of Directors (2015-2017)
• Leadership Pasco, Class of 2013
• The Junior League of Tampa, Sustainer Member
  • Leadership Council
    • Chair, Community Advisory Board (2014-2015)
  • Board of Directors
    • Grants Committee Chair (2012-2013)
    • Legal Chair (2010-2011)
    • Public Affairs Chair (2009-2010)
• Stetson Lawyers Association Advisory Council, Former Member
• First Annual Stetson University College of Law Scholarship Gala, Former Co-Chair
• Clearwater Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Former Treasurer
• Humane Society of Pinellas County, Former Board Member
• Women’s President Organization, Past Member

Honors

• Best Lawyers in America, 2021-2025
• Florida Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine, 2020-2024
• Florida Legal Elite by Florida Trend magazine, 2015-2018
• Florida Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine, 2009-2011, 2013-2015

Representative Matters

• Obtained judgment in favor of builder/developer involving non-disclosure claims arising from purchase agreement
• Defended several performance and payment bond claims raised by owners, contractors, and subcontractors on behalf of sureties to successful resolution
• Prosecuted numerous claims to judgment in favor of sureties pursuant to terms of general agreement of indemnity against bond principal and individual indemnitors
• Obtained injunction and final judgment in favor of developer client whose ingress and egress to cellular phone tower was denied by landowner
• Successfully prosecuted manufacturer involving claims against distributor for, among other claims, impairing manufacturer's intellectual property rights and improperly selling product outside the scope of the distribution agreement to resolution
• Represented client in trade secret misappropriation claim against former employees and current employer to full resolution through settlement, while defeating personal jurisdictional challenge raised by defendants
• Represented physicians and medical practice employers in non-compete litigation to resolution
• Defended large hospitality employer in hostile work environment sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit, resulting in summary judgment for employer