Michael A. Abel is a trial lawyer in Holland & Knight's Litigation Section, where he represents corporate and individual clients in complex commercial and business disputes in both state and federal court, as well as in alternative dispute resolution forums. This includes:
- Commercial litigation for diverse businesses and industries, including manufacturers, distributors, land developers, resort and hotel owners, entrepreneurs and start-up companies, real estate and leasing companies, commercial landlords and tenants, health insurance and medical benefit providers, title insurance companies, railroads and trucking companies. He has represented clients in breach of contract and business tort claims, as well as claims arising out of fraud allegations. Recent representation includes: assisting a freight railroad in a declaratory judgment action to eliminate the company's financial exposure for extensive personal injury losses and insurance claims asserted by a vendor.
- Real estate litigation, including the representation of developers, purchasers, title companies, lenders, landlords and tenants in disputes concerning real estate purchases, property development, commercial landlord-tenant disputes, insured title claims, easements and boundary disputes, title issues and mortgage fraud. Recent representation includes: assisting a real estate developer in an AAA commercial arbitration arising out of an extensive project to develop an age-targeted lifestyle resort community in Southwest Florida.
- Trust and estate litigation, including the defense of claims asserted against professional trustees and the representation of large beneficiaries, such as charitable organizations and educational institutions, in contested estate matters. Recent representation includes: defending a professional trustee against claims that the beneficiary of a charitable remainder trust had asserted in federal court alleging breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, violations of state law and punitive damages.
- Corporate litigation, including disputes arising out of business entity governance, shareholder actions, derivative actions, corporate dissolution, merger and acquisition claims, and disputes involving limited liability companies and partnerships.
- Transportation litigation, including complex commercial litigation arising out of rail and motor carrier operations. Recent representation includes: assisting a motor carrier in a complex cargo loss and damage claim arising under the Carmack Amendment, in which the shipper of freight challenged the validity of the carrier's operating rules and liability limitations.
Mr. Abel frequently presents seminars to corporate clients and in-house counsel on topics such as the attorney-client privilege, electronic mail and e-discovery.