
Overview
Michael Napoleone is a seasoned litigator with a proven track record of success representing businesses, individuals, and fiduciaries in complex, high-stakes disputes. He has litigated a wide array of matters, including theft of trade secrets, corporate shareholder disputes, contested wills and trusts, claims of fiduciary misconduct, land use conflicts, and high-value real estate litigation. His extensive courtroom experience spans jury trials, bench trials, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution forums such as arbitration and mediation.
Known for his strategic approach and persuasive advocacy, Michael is regularly called upon to handle cases where the outcome is critical and the legal issues are complex. His clients rely on him not only for his legal acumen, but for his ability to navigate sensitive, high-conflict situations with clarity and confidence.
In addition to his legal practice, Michael has held many leadership roles within the legal profession and local government. He is a past president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and served on the Executive Board of the Palm Beach County Early Learning Coalition. He currently serves as the elected Mayor of the Village of Wellington, Second Vice President of the Palm Beach County League of Cities, and on the Executive Board of the Palm Beach County Transportation Planning Agency—positions that reflect his dedication to public service and his deep understanding of governmental and regulatory systems.
Michael's dual background as a skilled courtroom advocate and respected civic leader makes him a trusted advisor in both legal and policy arenas.
Experience
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Obtained jury returned verdict in favor of the firm's client against client's former employees and their competing business, where jury determined that the company's client list constituted a protectable trade secret and found defendants liable on all counts and awarded plaintiff damages for the business losses resulting from the defendants' wrongful conduct, even though the former employees were not bound by non-competition or non-solicitation agreements
Obtained multi-million dollar jury award in favor of residential developer client against party who breached right of first refusal in development agreement that gave client the right to acquire the remaining developable land
Obtained seven-figure award following bench trial on former employees' claims against former employer for breach of employment agreements for failure to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in earned commissions with additional damages including over $1 million in attorney fees and costs to client; representation also included successful defense of counterclaims by former employer for alleged violations of non-compete agreements and theft of trade secrets
Prosecuted claims in arbitration on behalf of subsidiary rights holder against author and producer of national production of off-Broadway musical and negotiated favorable settlement following multi-million dollar arbitration award in favor of client
Represented members of closely-held, family-owned businesses in settlement of shareholder derivative litigation involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, usurpation of corporate opportunity, conversion and civil conspiracy
Successfully represented the five adult children of a decedent in defense of a multi-million dollar surcharge action, which was aggressively pursued by the successor personal representative on behalf several financial institutions; negotiated settlement of all claims and obtained releases in favor of all clients and a discharge from the probate court
Represented national fast food franchisor in settlement of federal court litigation with franchisee over claims of fraud, misrepresentation and tortious interference with business relationships
Defended a group of doctors and their medical practices against RICO, fraud and deceptive trade practice claims, asserted by insurance carriers seeking million in damages related to their performance of certain surgical spinal procedures; matter settled to clients satisfaction
Defended businesses and individual family members in multi-jurisdiction litigation involving claims of alleged fraudulent transfers where plaintiffs claimed that clients transferred of millions of dollars in assets to avoid the reach of judgment creditors
Successfully defended a law firm in an investigation by the attorney general in assessing whether fraudulent documentation had been created and filed by the firm in an effort speed up foreclosure processes, where the law firm denied all allegations and successfully quashed the subpoena; upheld on appeal and created new law in the State of Florida as to the power of the attorney general to investigate law firms
Represented condominium association in multi-year litigation against former country club owner arising from club operator's breaches of covenants contained in the Declaration of Condominium; obtained final summary judgment in favor of client and later pursued post-judgment proceedings against successor club owner and obtained final judgment in favor of condominium association resulting in successor club owner conveying millions of dollars in waterfront property to client
Education and Credentials
Education
- St. John's University School of Law, J.D.
- University of Florida, B.S.
Admissions
- State of Florida
- State of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. Supreme Court
Affiliations
- Palm Beach County Bar Association, Past President; Board of Directors, Former Member; Committee on Professionalism, Former Chair; Committee on Diversity and Gender Sensitivity, Former Chair; Leadership Academy, Creator and Former Chair; Judicial Campaign Practices Commission, Former Chair
- The Florida Bar, Constitutional Judiciary Committee, former Chair; Standing Committee on Professionalism, former Member
- Leadership Palm Beach County, 2022
- Leadership West Palm Beach, 2005
- Business Development Board of Palm Beach County
- The Forum Club of the Palm Beaches
Recognition and Community
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See Awards Methodology.
Recognitions
Finalist for Leadership Palm Beach County Leadership Excellence Award, 2025
Selected to list of Top Lawyers, Business Litigation, by Palm Beach Illustrated, 2022
Selected to the Top Lawyers list in the Commercial Litigation category by the Boca Raton Observer (A&A Publishing Corp) and DataJoe, 2022
Selected to the list of Florida Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), Business Litigation, 2010-2025
Selected to the list of Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars (Thomson Reuters), Business Litigation, 2009
Chosen for inclusion on the list Florida Legal Elite by Florida Trend (Trend Magazines Inc.), 2009-2018
Selected to list of South Florida’s Top Lawyers by the South Florida Legal Guide, 2018
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2015, 2020-2025
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Real Estate Litigation, 2015
Recipient of the Key Partners Award from the South Florida Business Journal (American City Business Journals), 2012
Finalist for the list of "Most Effective Lawyers" in International Law by Daily Business Review (ALM Media Properties, LLC), 2010
Installed as a member of the Florida Blue Key leadership honorary society at the University of Florida, 1992
AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell (LexisNexis)
Community Involvement
Village of Wellington, elected Mayor, 2024-Present
Village of Wellington, elected Council Member, 2016-2024
Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County, Board of Directors, 2011-2021
Palm Beach County Transportation Planning Agency, Governing Board, 2017-Present; Executive Board, 2021-Present
Palm Beach County League of Cities, Second Vice President, 2025-Present; Board Member, 2019-Present
News & Insights
Thought Leadership
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Florida's CHOICE Act: Empowering Employers, Challenging Employees, July 2, 2025 -
FinCEN Imposes CTA Reporting on Certain Dissolved Entities, July 12, 2024 -
Corporate Transparency – Where Are We Now?, April 23, 2024 -
The "STOP WOKE Act" – Florida's Attempt to Prohibit Mandatory Employee Diversity Training Put on Hold for Now, October 21, 2022 -
President Biden Issues Executive, July 29, 2021
News
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Day Pitney Partner Michael J. Napoleone Re-Appointed Vice-Mayor of Wellington, May 9, 2023 -
Michael Napoleone Reelected to Board of Directors for the Palm Beach County League of Cities, May 31, 2022 -
Michael Napoleone Appointed to Executive Committee for Palm Beach County Transportation and Planning Agency, December 8, 2021 -
Michael Napoleone Elected to Board of Directors for the Palm Beach County League of Cities, April 30, 2021 -
Florida Partner Michael Napoleone Re-Elected As Vice Mayor of Wellington Village, January 24, 2020
In The Media
Publications
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Facebook 'friendship' with a judge - standing alone - insufficient for disqualification, Day Pitney Advisory, November 15, 2018 -
Letter: Why Judicial Elections Matter, Town-Crier, July 20, 2018 -
Privacy in the Golden Age of Social Media, Day Pitney Advisory, April 12, 2018 -
Rule to Enable Consumers to File Class-Action Lawsuits Against Banks Rejected by the Senate, Day Pitney Advisory, October 25, 2017 -
No Disqualification of Judge for being Facebook 'friend' with Attorney, Day Pitney Advisory, August 24, 2017 -
Critical Contract Mistakes - and How to Avoid Them, Day Pitney Advisory, June 12, 2017 -
Focus On The Local Judicial Races, Too, Miami Herald, August 5, 2016 -
Business Strategy: Plan for the End at the Beginning, The Business Know-How, July 14, 2015
Media Mentions
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Michael Napoleone Serves as Firm Representative to the Business Development Board of Palm Beach, Palm Beach County Profile, 2023-2024 -
Top Lawyers 2022; Palm Beach Illustrated, Palm Beach Illustrated, September 2022 -
Top Lawyer 2022; Boca Raton Observer, Boca Raton Observer, September 2022 -
News and Notes, Florida Bar News, February 1, 2022 -
Leadership PBC Accepts 48 into Engage Program, Florida Weekly Palm Beach, August 12, 2021 -
Betensky and Napoleone Commended for Pro Bono Work by Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County & Florida Pro Bono Coordinators Association, August 9, 2021 -
Michael J. Napoleone Accepted Into Leadership Palm Beach County Engage Program, Leadership Palm Beach County, July 14, 2021 -
Partner Michael Napoleone Secures Affirmance of Trial Victory, December 31, 2020 -
Wellington Councilman Michael Napoleone Appointed to Palm Beach County League of Cities Board of Directors, wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter, June 4, 2020 -
Day Pitney and Richman Greer Complete Merger, Further Expanding Presence in Florida, Day Pitney Press Release, January 1, 2019 -
After 20 Years, Constitution Revision Group Faces New Hurdles, Daily Business Review, December 23, 2016 -
Here's How Local Governments Can Get Up To Speed On The New Overtime Regulations, American C&C, September 14, 2016 -
How to Avoid 5 Common E-Discovery Mistakes, Law360, July 15, 2015