Michael J. Labbee is a seasoned appellate advocate with a proven record of success, offering strategic counsel to clients seeking to protect or advance their interests in a wide range of civil lawsuits. If your case demands skilled appellate representation, Michael’s knowledge and dedication make him the advocate you need.

Michael’s appellate practice encompasses a diverse array of civil matters, including personal injury, contract disputes, real estate, eminent domain, insurance coverage, and property rights disputes. He has served as appellate counsel in District Courts throughout Florida, the Florida Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida, Michael went on to earn his J.D. with honors from Stetson University College of Law. Upon graduation, Michael began practicing complex commercial litigation with a large national firm representing major corporations and high-net-worth individuals. Seeking to champion the underdog, Michael co-founded Phillips, Hayden & Labbee, LLP, a forward-thinking firm leveraging advanced technology to deliver exceptional results for clients across a vast assortment of civil matters.

When he’s not advocating for his clients, Michael can be found playing golf, tennis, or enjoying time with his family on the waters of Florida’s gulf coast.

Honors

• Premier Appellate lawyers 2025 ­– 2026
• Best Lawyers in America, Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation, 2026
• Florida Super Lawyers® – Rising Stars, 2017 – Present
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated, 2017 – Present
• Named to Florida Trend’s Legal Elite Up and Comers List, 2018

Education

• Stetson University College of Law | Gulfport, Florida
  • J.D. – 2013
  • Honors: Cum Laude, Full-Merit Scholar, Member of Stetson’s Honors Program, Recipient of High-Grade Awards in Trial Advocacy and Products Liability
• University of Central Florida | Orlando, Florida
  • B.S. – 2010
  • Major: Legal Studies

Representative Matters

• Reversed a final summary judgment determining that an insurance carrier was not required to provide coverage with published opinion. Hurchalla v. Homeowners Choice Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., Inc., 281 So. 3d 510 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019).
• Quashed a local ordinance infringing on private property rights. Elizabeth Schuh, et al. v. City of St. Petersburg, 2019-AP-000046.
• Reversed a final order awarding attorneys’ fees in eminent domain action with published opinion. Florida Gas Transmission Co., LLC v. Johnson, 264 So. 3d 336 (Fla. 1st DCA 2019).
• Defeated emergency petition for writs of prohibition and certiorari. Maggy Hurchalla v. Lake Point Phase I, LLC and Lake Point Phase II, LLC, Case No. 4D18-0764.
• Secured full affirmance of $4.4 Million jury verdict on a claim for tortious interference with a contractual relationship. Hurchalla v. Lake Point Phase I, LLC, 278 So. 3d 58 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019).
• Reversed a final summary judgment in favor of the defendant with published opinion. The Bank of New York Mellon v. Daniel Stallbaum, 230 So. 3d 1271 (Fla. 5th DCA 2017).
• Reversed trial court’s entry of summary judgment determining the boundary line between two commercial properties in downtown St. Petersburg with published opinion. McNulty Lofts Condo. Ass’n, Inc. v. WRH McNulty Garage, LLC, 385 So. 3d 183 (Fla. 2d DCA 2024)
• Successfully defended against a petition for writ of certiorari seeking to extend the property restrictions imposed by a lis pendens.
• Obtained a per curiam affirmance of trial court victory on liability of garnishee.
• Defeated petition for writ of certiorari regarding alleged violations of due process and a departure from the essential requirements of law regarding a hotly contested commercial zoning determination by Tampa City Council
• Reversed, in part, final judgment for damages in commercial lease dispute. Hourglass Entm’t, LLC v. NRG Investments, Inc., No. 2D2024-1251, 2025 WL 1943968, at *1 (Fla. 2d DCA July 16, 2025)

Bar Admission

• Florida | 2013

Languages

• English
• French