About the Firm
Michael A. Haggard
The trial lawyer families turn to after the unthinkable — and the advocate who fights to prevent the next tragedy.
Michael Haggard has spent his career standing between grieving families and the corporations and insurers who would rather call a preventable death “a tragic accident.”
As Managing Partner of The Haggard Law Firm, P.A. — founded in 1972 and based in Coral Gables, Florida — Michael has become one of the nation’s foremost authorities on aquatic injury and wrongful death. He is the only plaintiff’s personal-injury attorney to secure three separate $100 million-plus verdicts on behalf of individual clients, including catastrophic pool cases and a landmark negligent-security matter.
But for Michael, the courtroom is only half the mission. He serves on the Board of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and continuously advocates for stronger water-safety legislation — turning individual tragedies into the regulatory changes that protect other families.
Credentials
Bar admissions & education
Bar admissions
- State Bar of Florida (1996)
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (1997)
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (2007)
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida (2021)
Education
- University of Miami School of Law — J.D. (1995)
Book Award, “Advanced Litigation Skills” - Florida State University — Bachelor of Science (1992)
Dean’s List Scholar · Interfraternity Council President (1991–1992) · Greek Man of the Year (1992) · Order of the Omega · Omicron Delta Kappa
Philosophy
“Our results speak to the experience and determination with which we litigate every case. But the real victory is when a case changes the law — so that another family never has to make the call you made.”— Michael A. Haggard
We try the cases that should be tried. We litigate by mechanism. And we never forget that behind every case is a family whose life was changed forever.
Recognition
Awards & honors
A career of results recognized by the peers, publications, and organizations that shape our profession.
- Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers of America (2018, 2024)
- Listed, Best Lawyers in America
- Fellow, The International Society of Barristers
- America’s Top 100 Attorneys® — Lifetime Achievement
- Perry Nichols Lifetime Achievement Award, Florida Justice Association
- Florida Justice Association: Eagle Centurion Award, Shoe Leather Award, Gold Eagle Award, Silver Eagle Award
- Social Impact Award, Florida Legal Awards (2022)
- Best Mentor Award, Florida Legal Awards (2021)
- Miami Superstar, Attorney at Law Magazine (2017)
- Distinguished Service Award & Advocate of Justice Award, National Crime Victim Bar Association
- Justice For All Award, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (Coral Gables Police Dept.)
- Most Effective Lawyer, Daily Business Review (2005 & 2008)
- Top 40 Under 40, National Law Journal (2005)
- Top 500 in the Nation, LawDragon
- Legal Elite & Legal Elite Hall of Fame, Florida Trend Magazine
- Top 100 Lawyer, Florida Super Lawyers
- Top Lawyers in Florida, Florida Monthly Magazine
- AV Preeminent Rated Attorney, Martindale-Hubbell
- Member, Million-Dollar Advocates Forum
Service
Leadership & board roles
Time on the boards and in the offices that shape drowning prevention, victim advocacy, and the law of our state.
- National Crime Victim Bar Association — President (2018); Board of Directors (2009 – present)
- National Center for Victims of Crime — Secretary (2024)
- Florida Justice Association — President (2009–2010); Secretary (2006–2007); Board of Directors & Executive Committee (1999–2005)
- Miami-Dade Justice Association — President (2002); President-Elect (2001); Treasurer (2000); Secretary (1999); Director (1997–1999)
- National Drowning Prevention Alliance — Board Member
- Melissa Institute Against Violence — Board Member
- Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation — Board of Trustees
- Florida Supreme Court Historical Society — Trustee
- Florida Lawyers Action Group — Trustee
- Florida International University President’s Council — Member
- Seminole Boosters — Board of Directors
- FSU College of Communication & Information Leadership Board — Member
- Miami-Dade Candidate Task Force — Chair (2001–2004)
- Coalition for Family Safety — Member
Memberships
Professional memberships
- Florida Justice Association
- American Bar Association
- American Association for Justice — Inadequate Security Section
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- ASIS International (security professionals)
- Association for Swimming Pond and Natural Swimming Pools (ASPNSP) — Associate Member
- Coral Gables Bar Association
- Miami-Dade County Bar Association
- Miami-Dade Justice Association
- Lawyer Pilots Bar Association
- MADD Barristers Council
- Guardian Ad Litem
- FSU Alumni Association
Community
Community involvement
Outside the courtroom, in the places that hold a community together.
- Community Partnership for the Homeless — Volunteer
- Habitat for Humanity — Volunteer
- Coral Gables Bar Association — Member
- Coral Gables Police Department — Recipient, Justice For All Award
Free, confidential consultation
Talk to us now. We care.
Tell us what happened. There is no fee unless we win, and your conversation with us is always confidential. Prefer to talk now? Call (833) 652-7600.