Michelle R. Suskauer – Attorney At Law

Michelle R. Suskauer is a Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney and Chairperson for the Florida Bar Annual Convention 2013. Board Certification is the highest level of recognition by the Florida Bar for competency and experience as a criminal trial lawyer. She has served with distinction on the Florida Bar’s Criminal Certification Committee. Michelle is also AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which indicates that an attorney has reached “the height of professional excellence” and “is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.”

Michelle began her legal career as an assistant public defender in West Palm Beach. She has been practicing in Palm Beach County since 1991 and specializes in criminal law in both state and federal courts. Michelle joined The Suskauer Law Firm in 1997 and concentrates her practice in the areas of domestic violence, DUI, juvenile offenses, narcotics offenses, sexual offenses, violent offenses, white collar crimes and federal offenses.

Michelle is one of the most experienced, dedicated and compassionate trial lawyers in Palm Beach County. She is highly regarded by judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and her peers. She is known for her creative solutions to complicated problems and for her client advocacy. She is passionate about helping her clients receive the needed services to correct their circumstances so that they do not become repeat offenders.

Michelle is also a nationally known legal analyst who regularly appears on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, NBC, and CNBC. She has made hundreds of television appearances including The O’Reilly Factor, The Abrams Report, The Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Hannity & Colmes, Nancy Grace, Anderson Cooper 360, and The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. Michelle also appears locally as a legal analyst for Palm Beach County’s NBC affiliate WPTV NewsChannel 5, WFLX Fox 29, WFTL 850 AM, and has been a weekly host and legal analyst for NEWSRADIO 1290 WJNO.

Michelle has been actively involved in the leadership of numerous local and state legal organizations. She is a Past-President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, is currently on The Florida Board Of Governors, serves on the board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County and is a Past-President of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Palm Beach County Chapter.

As President of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers,  Palm Beach County Chapter, Michelle was recognized by the Governor’s Office, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County for her initiation of the “Breakfast and Books” Mentoring Program for juvenile offenders.

Practice Areas:

• Criminal Defense
• Domestic Violence
• DUI Offenses
• Juvenile Offenses
• Narcotics Offenses
• Sexual Offenses
• Violent Offenses
• White Collar Crimes
• Federal Offenses

Bar Admissions:

• Florida, 1991
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 1994

Education:

• Boston University (Communications), B.A., 1988
• American University, J.D. degree, 1991

Certifications / Specialties:

• Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education

Awards & Honors:

• Martindale Hubbell – AV Rating
• Florida Super Lawyers
• Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite
• “Serving Justice”Award, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
• The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County honored the Palm Beach County Chapter of FAWL during Michelle’s presidency with a Pro Bono Award for both the Adopt-A-Case and Breakfast and Books program

Professional Associations and Leadership Activities:

•  Palm Beach County Bar Association, President 2009-2010
  • Member since 1993, Board Member since 2004
  • Past Chair of Judicial Relations Committee
  • Past Chair Criminal Practice Committee
  • Past Chair Bench Bar Conference
• The Florida Bar, Board of Governors 15th Judicial Circuit 2010-Present
• Criminal Law Certification Committee 2002-2006
• Florida Association for Women Lawyers, President 2002-2003
  • Member since 1991
  • Created “Adopt-A-Case” program
  • Created “Breakfast and Books” mentoring program, gaining statewide recognition and honors from Department of Juvenile Justice and Just Read! Florida. This program provides mentoring to at-risk girls both in the Department of Juvenile Justice residential custody as well as through the PACE Center for Girls.
  • Chairperson, Holiday Children’s Bookfest supporting Legal Aid’s Children’s Fund (2003 – Present)
•  Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Board of Directors 2005-Present
  • 2007 & 2008 Co-Chair Pro Bono Recognition Event
•  American Inns of Court, Emeritus Member
  • Past Chair of Programming
•  Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Past Board Member Palm Beach County Chapter

Speaking Engagements:

• Guest Lecturer, Department of Juvenile Justice
• Guest Lecturer, Palm Beach County School District
• Guest Lecturer, Florida Atlantic University

Media Appearances – Legal Analyst:

• NBC (The Today Show, Nightly News)
• ABC (Good Morning America)
• CNBC (The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch)
• CNN (Prime News, Anderson Cooper 360, Headline News, Nancy Grace, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell)
• Fox News (Hannity & Colmes, The O’Reilly Factor, The Line-Up)
• MSNBC (The Abrams Report, Verdict with Dan Abrams)
• WPTV News Channel 5
• 1290 WJNO
• 850 WFTL