Michele Leo Hintson

Partner, Management Committee Member

With a practice spanning more than two decades, Michele is a seasoned complex commercial litigator and Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator who primarily 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 construction, government contracts, 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 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.

Media Mentions

 

  • 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.

 

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