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

. Overview. About Michael S. Budwick Michael Budwick is regularly involved in the most contentious and complex litigation and insolvency matters, having successfully litigated or resolved a broad array of commercial disputes. Michael has handled business and bankruptcy related litigation matters involving lender liability, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, fraud, aiding and abetting, professional malpractice, equitable subordination, breach of contract, usury and fraudulent transfer. His significant Chapter 11 reorganization experience includes representation of debtors, official committees, creditors and trustees in cases across many industries. Michael has represented trustees, receivers, creditors and victims in some of the country’s largest financial fraud cases. In the $2 billion Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Tom Petters (the third largest Ponzi in U.S. history), Michael served as litigation oversight counsel coordinating strategy and managing several law firms collectively pursuing hundreds of millions of dollars in litigation claims. In the $1 billion Ponzi perpetrated by Jeff Carpoff, the largest fraud in the history of the Eastern District of California, Michael serves as special counsel to the Chapter 7 Trustee, pursuing claims against banks, legal and accounting professionals, and many others. Michael recovered $49 million from General Electric Capital Corp., one of the largest tort recoveries ever against a financial institution for its alleged joinder in a Ponzi scheme. Michael has also recovered in financial fraud cases $20 million from Nixon Peabody LLP, $16.8 million from BMO Harris Bank, $11.6 million from KeyBank, $11.25 million from an international financial advisory firm, $9.6 million from a regional accounting firm, $9 million from Heritage Bank, $5.75 million from NASCAR and $5.4 million from Ocean Bank, among other seven and eight figure recoveries subject to confidentiality restrictions. Michael is ranked by Chambers USA (2005-2024) in Band 1 – the highest placement – in the category of Bankruptcy Litigation in Florida based on his restructuring work and the results he has achieved in financial fraud cases. The Guide describes him as “an extraordinary litigator, and a determined and tenacious guy” as well as “a highly skilled lawyer with a niche in financial fraud cases” and “with expertise in advising on Ponzi scheme-related bankruptcy.” The Guide further noted “his expertise in Chapter 11 reorganization matters, with experience representing debtors, trustees and commercial committees.” Michael is recognized in the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America Guide. . 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 Ranked, Chambers USA Guide, Band 1, Bankruptcy Litigation in Florida, 2020-2024 Ranked, Chambers USA Guide, Litigation: General Commercial in Florida, 2020-2024 Lawdragon, 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2025 The Daily Business Review: Most Effective Lawyer 2016 Finalist, Bankruptcy Category Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2024 AV Preeminent Judicial and Peer Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Recognized as an elite attorney by Florida Trend Magazine The Best Lawyers in America, listed in the practice areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law . 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. Represent bankruptcy trustee for two South Florida-based hedge funds that lost $651 million in a multi-billion Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Thomas J. Petters in Minneapolis, the third-largest financial fraud in American history. Successfully prosecuted over 100 actions and claims against banks, law firms, accounting firms and others, recovering in the aggregate well over $200 million, including $49 million from General Electric Capital Corporation and $16 million from BMO Harris Bank, N.A. Represent client as a member of the Petters Company, Inc., Liquidating Trust Committee. Served as special counsel to the PCI Liquidating Trust to manage and resolve hundreds of millions of dollars in litigation claims.. Financial Frauds and Commercial Litigation . Meland Budwick serves as special litigation counsel to Christina Lovato, the Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee in Reno, Nevada for DC Solar Solutions, Inc. and certain affiliates (DC Solar). Jeffrey Carpoff and others pled guilty to perpetrating a $1 billion Ponzi scheme through DC Solar. The firm is prosecuting all litigation claims held by the trustee. To date, the firm has recovered tens of millions of dollars, including settlements with Nixon Peabody for $20 million, KeyBank for $11.6 million, DC Solar’s accountants for $11.25 million, Heritage Bank for $9 million, and a NASCAR subsidiary for $5,,75 million. The firm is prosecuting other actions, including claims for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages against an Am Law 100 firm that served as DC Solar’s legal counsel.. Bankruptcy . 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. Confirmed Chapter 11 Plan for upscale South Beach restaurant.. Bankruptcy. 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. Pan American Hospital - represented the successful purchaser of a landmark operating hospital for over $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. Representation of 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. - representation of 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.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Commercial Litigation, Creditors' Rights. Condominium Developer Workouts - during the downturn of the real estate and condominium market, represented numerous developers in workouts with senior secured and mezzanine lenders, including, Corus Bank, Fremont, Key Bank and Ocean Bank.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Commercial Litigation, 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.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Commercial Litigation, Financial Frauds. Representation of the Chapter 7 Trustee and Michael Budwick served as the receiver appointed by the United States District Court in a $19 million Ponzi scheme case perpetrated by Thomas Abrams. Brought a variety of litigation claims and reached a multi-million dollar settlement of an aiding and abetting claim against Fidelity Federal Bank & Trust, N.A.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Financial Frauds, Commercial Litigation. Represented a group of major clawback defendants in the Lancer Partners financial fraud case.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Financial Frauds, Commercial Litigation, Creditors' Rights. Represented largest creditor in Evergreen Securities bankruptcy in Orlando, Florida, involving a $214 million Ponzi scheme.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Financial Frauds, Commercial Litigation, Creditors' Rights. Represented the largest victim in the Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Scott Rothstein and Rothstein Rosenfeldt & Adler, P.A. law firm in Fort Lauderdale.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Financial Frauds, Commercial Litigation, Creditors' Rights. Puig, Inc. - representation of the Official Joint Committee of Unsecured Creditors and then the Plan Administrator in connection with 26 debtor affiliates in the business of condominium conversions. The asserted unsecured claims exceeded $100 million. Prosecuted claims against third parties include actions for avoidance of transfers, professional malpractice, usury, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty.. Commercial Litigation. Representation of shareholders of a close corporation in eight figure settlement of lender liability claims against a consortium of financial institutions.. Commercial Litigation. Representation of minority shareholders in derivative action related to corporation holding real estate investments with tens of millions of dollars in equity.. Commercial Litigation, Creditors' Rights. Represented the owner of Grand Bay Hotel in Coconut Grove in a successful workout with the lender.. Commercial Litigation. Representation of 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.. Financial Frauds, Bankruptcy. Representation of the Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee of an entity through which its principal operated a $40+ million Ponzi scheme. The principal has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison. . Financial Frauds, Bankruptcy and Restructuring. Court appointed Mark Meland as Receiver for Innovida Companies run by Claudio Osorio. After discovering an approximately $50 million fraud, ceased operations and filed Chapter 11 for numerous entities. Mark S. Meland was appointed the Chapter 11 Trustee and liquidated tangible assets. The firm serves as litigation counsel to the Chapter 7 trustee in numerous avoidance and tort actions seeking to collect funds for defrauded investors.. 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.. 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 presuit for a confidential amount paid to our client.. News. 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.