Michael S. Budwick. Partner and Co-Chair, Financial Fraud Group.

. Overview. About Michael S. Budwick Michael Budwick is a nationally recognized bankruptcy and commercial litigation attorney whose practice focuses on high-profile financial fraud litigation, insolvency disputes, and Chapter 11 matters. He is known for handling some of the most contentious and complex litigation arising from distressed businesses, insolvency proceedings, and high-profile financial misconduct. He has represented Chapter 11 debtors, official committees, creditors and trustees in cases across many industries. A significant portion of Michael’s practice is devoted to financial fraud and Ponzi scheme litigation. He has represented trustees, receivers, creditors and victims in some of the largest financial fraud cases in the United States. Michael has played a central role in recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for bankruptcy estates and victims, including significant recoveries from major financial institutions, law firms, accounting firms, and advisory professionals. His work has resulted in numerous seven- and eight-figure recoveries, including one of the largest tort recoveries ever obtained against a financial institution in connection with its alleged joinder in a Ponzi scheme. In the $2 billion Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Tom Petters (the third largest Ponzi scheme in U.S. history), Michael served as the liquidating trustee’s litigation oversight counsel, coordinating strategy and managing multiple law firms pursuing hundreds of millions of dollars in claims. Michael and his team serve as special counsel to the Chapter 7 trustee in the $1 billion Jeff Carpoff Ponzi scheme, the largest fraud case in the history of the Eastern District of California. In that role, the firm has pursued dozens of tort and fraudulent transfer claims against banks, law firms, financial professionals, and other participants, and has recovered over $130 million to date. Michael is ranked by Chambers USA (2005-2025) in Band 1, the highest ranking, in Bankruptcy Litigation in Florida. He is described as “a very skilled counsel and a great negotiator,” and Chambers notes that he is “involved in every major bankruptcy,” particularly in Ponzi scheme-related cases. He is recognized among Lawdragon’s 2025 500 Leading Litigators in America. . Education University of Florida College of Law, J.D. with honors, 1991 University of Florida College of Business Administration, B.S. with honors, 1988 Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society Memberships  Board Member, Rabbi Alexander S. Gross (RASG) Hebrew Academy Past first Vice-President, Treasurer and Director of the Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Southern District of Florida Past Member of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee Awards & Rankings The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2010-2026 Chambers USA, Band 1, Bankruptcy Litigation in Florida, 2020-2025 Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial in Florida, 2020-2025 Lawdragon, 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2025 Lawdragon, 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers, 2025 Daily Business Review: Most Effective Lawyer 2016 Finalist, Bankruptcy Category Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2025 AV Preeminent Judicial and Peer Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Recognized as an elite attorney by Florida Trend Magazine . Office Number. 305.358.6363 . Fax number. 305.358.1221 . Email. mbudwick@melandbudwick.com Representative Matters. Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Financial Frauds, Commercial Litigation, Creditors' Rights. Represented the bankruptcy trustee for two South Florida hedge funds that lost $650 million in the $2 billion Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Thomas J. Petters in Minneapolis - then the third-largest financial fraud in U.S. history. Prosecuted over 140 adversary proceedings, including aiding and abetting, conspiracy, professional malpractice, and fraudulent transfer claims. Recovered $235 million for the estates of the two hedge funds, including $49 million from GE Capital Corporation and $16.7 million from BMO Harris Bank. Also served as special litigation counsel to the Petters Liquidating Trust Committee managing hundreds of millions in actions brought by the estate of Petters Company, Inc.. Financial Frauds and Commercial Litigation . Meland Budwick serves as special litigation counsel to bankruptcy trustee Christina Lovato in Nevada in connection with the $1 billion Ponzi scheme orchestrated by DC Solar Solutions’ founder, Jeffrey Carpoff. The firm is prosecuting all litigation claims held by the trustee and has recovered over $130 million to date, with several actions pending. Notable settlements include $20 million from DC Solar’s outside legal counsel Nixon Peabody LLP, $19 million from the United States of America, $12 million from Ahern Rentals, $11.6 million from KeyBank, N.A., $11.25 million from DC Solar’s outside accountants, $9 million from DC Solar’s depository bank Heritage Bank, $7.65 million from Alvarez & Marsal, and $5.75 million from a NASCAR affiliate.. Bankruptcy, Financial Frauds, Commercial Litigation. Represented Chapter 7 trustee and served as court-appointed receiver in $19 million Ponzi scheme by Thomas Abrams; reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with Fidelity Federal Bank & Trust.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Financial Frauds, Commercial Litigation, Creditors' Rights. Represented the largest investor in a Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein and his law firm, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, P.A. . Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Financial Frauds, Commercial Litigation, Creditors' Rights. Represented the largest creditor in the Evergreen Securities bankruptcy involving a $214 million Ponzi scheme in Orlando, Florida.. Financial Frauds, Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Receiverships and Assignments. Served as receiver and later Chapter 11 trustee in the Innovida Holdings fraud case tied to Claudio Osorio. Uncovered $50 million fraud and led liquidation and litigation efforts to recover funds for investors. . Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Financial Frauds, Commercial Litigation, Creditors' Rights. Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors and then the Plan Administrator for Puig, Inc. and 25 affiliates. Prosecuted a range of claims including a $5.4 million recovery from Ocean Bank alleging various tort claims.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Financial Frauds, Commercial Litigation. Represented a group of clawback defendants in the Lancer Partners hedge fund financial fraud case.. Financial Frauds. Represented EMI Resorts and 20 related defendants in a $170 million RICO action alleging wire fraud and money laundering—ultimately obtaining full dismissal. . Financial Frauds. Represented a California-based fund in bankruptcy proceedings and related litigation, recovering a $60 million judgment and a $17.5 million nondischargeable judgment against the fraud’s principal. . Financial Frauds, Bankruptcy. Represented the Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee of an entity used by its principal to operate a $40+ million Ponzi scheme. The principal was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison.. Financial Frauds, Bankruptcy. Represented the Chapter 11 Trustee for Premium Sales Corporation, which perpetrated what at the time was the largest Ponzi scheme in the United States.. Financial Frauds. Represent a victim and clawback defendant in Mirror Trading, an alleged massive financial fraud perpetrated from South Africa.. Receiverships and Assignments. A Florida State Court appointed Mark Meland as Receiver over entities controlled by Claudio Osorio, including Innovida Holdings, Inc. The firm represented Mr. Meland in his efforts as Receiver.. Receiverships and Assignments. The U.S. District Court for the S.D. of Florida appointed Michael Budwick as Receiver over Thomas Abrams who perpetrated a $19 million Ponzi scheme. The firm represented Mr. Budwick in his efforts as Receiver, including obtaining a seven-figure recovery against a depository institution which was then the largest financial institution in Palm Beach County. . Creditors’ Rights. New Florida Properties, Inc. (Blue and Green Diamond) - representation of the equity holder and its affiliates in connection with the 630 unit landmark Blue and Green Diamond condominium projects on Miami Beach. Prosecuted tort claims against the senior secured participating lenders, including Union Planters and Ocean Bank. MRB raised claims against the lenders for equitable subordination and lender liability resulting in the bank group waiving over $6 million in debt and agreeing to permit the equity holder to retain control over the disposition of the units.. Creditors’ Rights. Represented the owner of Grand Bay Hotel in Coconut Grove in a successful workout with the lender.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring. Served as Chapter 11 counsel to IT’SUGAR LLC, a specialty candy retailer with approximately 100 stores and over 700 employees across 28 states. Through extensive negotiations with dozens of landlords, IT’SUGAR was able to obtain millions of dollars in pre and post-petition rent relief, restructure vendor debt, and successfully confirm a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring. Confirmed Chapter 11 Plan for upscale South Beach restaurant. . Bankruptcy and Restructuring. Representation of affiliate of BBX Capital in connection with protecting its interests as a secured creditor Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Robovault high tech storage facility in Fort Lauderdale.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring. Represented the successful purchaser of Pan American hospital, a landmark operating hospital, for $34 million through a Chapter 11 Section 363 sale.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring. Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Falcon Air bankruptcy.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring. Represented Creditors Committee in Cabi Downtown, LLC (Everglades by the Bay) twin 49 story downtown Miami condominium towers with over $200 million in debt.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring. Represented the official committee of unsecured creditors in a Chapter 11 case of sugar processing and retail business.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Commercial Litigation. Supra Telecommunications & Systems, Inc. - represented the largest CLEC in the Southeastern United States in its Chapter 11 Reorganization, litigating numerous contentious matters with Bellsouth and successfully reducing Bellsouth's claim from approximately $170 million to approximately $37.5 million and ultimately confirming a plan. . Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Commercial Litigation. New World Network International Ltd. - represented a group of minority shareholders in a telecommunications Chapter 15 bankruptcy pending in the Southern District of New York and litigated whether a foreign proceeding in Bermuda should be recognized as a main proceeding as well as other venue issues.. Commercial Litigation. Represented shareholders of a close corporation in eight-figure settlement of lender liability claims against a consortium of financial institutions.. Commercial Litigation. Represented minority shareholders in derivative action related to corporation holding real estate investments with tens of millions of dollars in equity.. Commercial Litigation. Represented the principal of a large South Florida based company accused of breach of fiduciary duty and negligence by the company's creditors.. Commercial Litigation. Represented multiple individual and corporate plaintiffs, including Berjaya Group (Cayman) Limited and Prime Gaming Philippines, Inc. in litigation against Duffy's Holdings, Inc. involving allegations of breaches of a stock purchase agreement regarding the multi-national restaurant chain of Roadhouse Grill, Inc.. Commercial Litigation. Represented a leading real estate brokerage firm in its claims for malpractice, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty against separate accounting firms and individual accountants. The matter resolved pursuit for a confidential amount paid to our client.. News. 13 Meland Budwick Attorneys Listed in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. August 21, 2025. 6 Meland Budwick Attorneys Named Among Lawdragon’s 2025 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers. July 16, 2025. Five Meland Budwick Attorneys Named 2025 Florida Super Lawyers. June 26, 2025. Meland Budwick, P.A. Recognized in the 2025 Edition of Chambers USA. June 5, 2025. Four Meland Budwick Partners Listed in the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America. September 6, 2024. 13 Meland Budwick Attorneys Listed in the 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. August 15, 2024. Five Meland Budwick Attorneys Named 2024 Florida Super Lawyers. June 24, 2024. Meland Budwick, P.A. Recognized in the 2024 Edition of Chambers USA. June 6, 2024. 12 Meland Budwick Attorneys Listed in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. August 17, 2023. Five Meland Budwick Attorneys Named 2023 Florida Super Lawyers. June 26, 2023. 2023 Chambers USA Guide Ranks Meland Budwick Across Key Practice Areas. June 1, 2023. Nixon Peabody Gets OK For Deal With DC Solar Investors. January 26, 2023. Eight Meland Budwick Attorneys Listed in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. August 18, 2022. Five Meland Budwick Attorneys Named 2022 Florida Super Lawyers. June 30, 2022. Miami's Meland Budwick Adds Former Prosecutor. January 27, 2022. Nixon Peabody Aided Solar Co.'s $1B Ponzi Scam, Suit Says. October 27, 2021. Amid Pandemic, Bankruptcy Lawyer Michael Budwick Pivots from Ponzi Schemes to Candy Store Woes. July 12, 2021. IT’SUGAR to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. June 15, 2021. Characterizing Victims of Ponzi Schemes as Greedy Hurts Our Civil Justice System. April 5, 2021. Meland Russin Founder Named Fla. Bankruptcy Judge. August 21, 2020. 2020 Chambers USA Guide Ranks Five Meland Budwick, P.A. Attorneys, and Commercial Litigation, Bankruptcy Litigation, Bankruptcy/Restructuring Practices. May 7, 2020. Federal Bankruptcy Court Grants Class Certification in 1 Global Capital $340 Million Fraud. March 26, 2020. Meland Budwick, P.A. Partner, Co-Chair of Financial Fraud Group, Leads Roundtable Discussion at Internationally Renowned Fraud Conference. November 19, 2019. 2019 Chambers USA Guide Ranks Meland Budwick, P.A. And It's Attorneys In Bankruptcy/Restructuring and Commercial Litigation. May 2, 2019. Miami Lawyers Clinch $49 Million Settlement With GE Capital Over Petters Ponzi Scheme. April 8, 2019. General Electric in $49 Million Settlement Over Petters Fraud. March 26, 2019. GE Capital Pays $49 Million Over Petters Ponzi Scheme. March 26, 2019. 2018 Chambers USA Guide Ranks Meland Budwick, P.A. And Its Attorneys in Bankruptcy/Restructuring And Commercial Litigation. May 29, 2018. Four Meland Budwick, P.A. Attorneys, and Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice Listed in 2016 Chambers USA Guide. April 5, 2018. More Than 400 South Florida Legal, Business And Community Leaders To Attend 20th Anniversary Cocktail Reception On Thursday For Meland Budwick, P.A. Law Firm In Downtown Miami. April 5, 2018. Federal Court To Decide Whether GE Capital Was Complicit In Ponzi Scheme. July 6, 2017. Judge Won’t Toss Suit Against GE Capital Over $3.6B Scheme. June 15, 2017. Lawsuit Against GE Finance Unit Over Petters’ Fraud Heads to Trial. June 15, 2017. Petters Ponzi Trustee Sets $160 Million Liquidation. January 29, 2016. BMO Harris To Pay $16M To End Petters Ponzi Row. July 16, 2015. Law grad duo fights financial fraud on ‘American Greed’. April 1, 2015. GE Capital and Petters-related fund in legal battle. September 3, 2014. Fulbright Can’t Shake Malpractice Suit Over Petters Scheme. October 11, 2013. Another fraud, another missing diamond ring. October 11, 2013. Major law firm loses bid to dismiss $718M Ponzi lawsuit for Palm Beach Finance. October 9, 2013. Palm Beach Finance can pursue $1B Ponzi claim vs. GE Capital. August 27, 2013. Petters, Capmark, AMR, Lehman, Valence, Norse: Bankruptcy. August 27, 2013. Court OKs Tom Petters victim’s $1B lawsuit against GE Capital. August 27, 2013. Judge Allows Petters Feeder Fund Lawsuit to Move Forward. August 26, 2013. Lawsuit Claims GE Capital Could Have Stopped Petters’ Multi-Billion Ponzi Scheme. August 26, 2013. Beach Lawyers Celebrate Milestone. May 5, 2013. Meland Budwick, P. A. throws party for 20th anniversary. April 19, 2013. Kaufman Rossin settles Petters lawsuit. July 26, 2010. Developer Meruelo sues Ocean Bank over no construction loan. April 26, 2010. DEAL OF THE WEEK: Riviera Preparatory buys site for school. February 15, 2010. Ocean Bank to pay $4.9M in Puig settlement. August 19, 2009. Judge grants confidentiality to Ocean Bank in Puig litigation. July 20, 2009. Ocean Bank: Judge rules creditor lawsuit can go forward. July 13, 2009. Ocean Bank: ‘Creditors haven’t justified the complaint’, lawyer says. March 27, 2009. Puig creditors point finger at Ocean Bank. August 19, 2008. Legal spats nip at Puig Inc.. March 28, 2008. West Palm Beach bank makes payout to swindled investors. January 4, 2005. Supra’s reorganization plan passes. January 4, 2005. Fidelity to pay $2.25 million in Pheonix deal. December 4, 2004. Buyout firms win auction for Supra. October 27, 2004. Supra Telecom names possible buyer for $26M. September 16, 2004. Bids due for Supra. August 26, 2004. Supra wins OK to hire investment banker to seek buyer. March 11, 2004. Supra, in bankruptcy, allowed to launch search for buyer. February 26, 2004. Supra Telecom bankruptcy case anything but friendly. February 20, 2004. Judge rejects Supra sale, says bankrupt firm should be shopped around. February 12, 2004. MRB. Contact us, Our attorneys, careers. About. Firm overview, Our Values, Community involvement, Representative matters. Pracrtice. Real Estate, Commercial Litigation, Receiverships and Assignments, Bankruptcy and Restructuring. In the News, Announcements, Film Videos. 2018 Meland, Russin, Budwick. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.