Helping clients achieve their family law goals and protect their rights.Comprehensive representation for family law matters.
Attorney Michael Goodson is the managing attorney of the Fort Walton Beach office. He received his Juris Doctor with Honors and his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Florida. Prior to law school, he earned his Bachelors of Science in Psychology with High Honors and a Bachelors of Music with Honors from the University of Florida. He also took the time to earn a Master of Music in Instrumental Performance between his undergraduate degrees and law school. He is married to Erin and they have a daughter, Evelyn.
Studying psychology taught Michael how to analyze people so that he can better understand, connect with, and help them. Studying music taught him how to prepare for performances. He believes that the combination of these two forms of thought – analytical and artistic – make him an effective lawyer.
Prior to joining The Virga Law Firm, Michael was an Assistant State Attorney in Panama City, Florida. He prosecuted a variety of criminal cases, from local ordinance violations to capital crimes. He enjoyed his work at the State Attorney’s Office because he was able to hone his skills as a trial lawyer against some of the best and brightest defense attorneys.
One of Michael's major professional accomplishments has been being named a “Best of Bay” lawyer in his first year with a private practice firm. In addition, he is a committee member of the Family Law Children’s Issues committee, the Family Law Membership committee, and the Family Law Rules & Forms committee. He attributes his success to making good connections with the community as a prosecutor and earning his clients’ trust early on in his private practice career.
Michael practices family law because he sees it as the most diverse area of law; on any given day he will address issues in criminal law, property law, contract law, just to name a few. Many of these areas of law contribute to many one-on-one interactions that he believes are key in family law issues, as family law is inherently personal. A retained lawyer needs to be compassionate about the people and the work they are doing.
Attorney Michael would say that the ideal client is someone who needs his help and is willing to work with him to get the best possible results. Identifying his clients’ goals is his first objective as a lawyer because the goals of most clients change and develop as the case goes on. Often, the client’s goals in a family law case are not what they think they are; a client may want more money or property, when what they really want is something more personal and less monetary. Helping clients recognize this makes cases go faster and smoother because family law cases tend to be long and emotionally exhausting.
Languages spoken
English, Spanish
The Virga Law Firm, P.A.
134 Eglin Parkway NE
Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548
The Virga Law Firm, P.A.
109 E. Garden St
Suite B
Pensacola, FL, 32502
The Virga Law Firm, P.A.
415 Richard Jackson Blvd
Suite 500
Panama City, FL, 32407
The Virga Law Firm, P.A.
1800 Pembrook Drive
Suite 160
Orlando, FL, 32810
The Virga Law Firm, P.A.
455 Harrison Ave
Suite E
Panama City, FL, 32401
The Virga Law Firm, P.A.
231 E Virginia St
Tallahassee, FL, 32301
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
FL | Member in Good Standing | 2014 | 06/01/2022 |
Legal answers | 31 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2020 |
Rising Star | American Institute of Legal Advocates | 2018 |
Best Law Firm | Best of Bay 2016 | 2016 |
Best Attorney runner-up | Best of Bay 2016 | 2016 |
Top 40 Under 40 | American Academy of Attorneys | N/A |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | The Virga Law Firm, P.A. | 2016 - Present |
Assistant State Attorney | Office of the State Attorney for the 14th Judicial Circuit of Florida | 2014 - 2016 |
Certified Legal Intern | University of Florida Family Advocacy Clinic | 2013 - 2014 |
Certified Legal Intern | Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit Florida | 2013 - 2013 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Florida Bar, Family Law Section | Member | 2017 - Present |
Kiwanis International | Volunteer | 2014 - Present |
Florida Bar, Alternate Dispute Resolution and Mediation Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Florida Bar, Family Law Continuing Legal Education Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Florida Bar, Children's Issues Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Florida Bar, Domestic Violence Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Florida Bar, Family Law Equitable Distribution Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Florida Bar, Family Law Litigation Support Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Floridar Bar, Family Law Membership Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Florida Bar, Family Law Publications Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Florida Bar, Family Law Rules Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Florida Bar, Family Law Sponsorship Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Florida Bar, Family Law Support Issues Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Florida Bar, Family Law Technology Committee | Member | 2018 - 2019 |
Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. | Volunteer | 2013 - 2013 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Florida | Master of Business Administration | 2020 |
University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2014 |
University of Florida | Master of Music | 2011 |
University of Florida | Bachelor of Music | 2009 |
University of Florida | BS - Bachelor of Science | 2009 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Hurlburt Field | Military Issues in Florida Family Law | 2019 |
Kiwanis chapter meeting | Current topics in family and criminal law | 2017 |
Northwest Florida Collaborative Law Group info session | Collaborative Law | 2016 |
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Jenna Garmon, Divorce and separation Attorney on Sep 27, 2019
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
Mr. Goodson is a passionate, highly knowledgeable, and talented attorney. I have had the privilege of working under his supervision and then alongside him in numerous family law cases. Throughout every proceeding, Mr. Goodson has always treated his clients with respect, giving each case the time and attention necessary to reach a resolution. Additionally, he is a force to be reckoned with in the court room. I highly endorse this attorney for any family law matter a client may face.
Michael Webster, Family Attorney on May 6, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Goodson is always professional, courteous, knowledgeable, and well prepared. He is rapidly developing into a top-tier family law attorney.
Jenna Garmon, Divorce and separation Attorney on Sep 27, 2019
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
Mr. Goodson is a passionate, highly knowledgeable, and talented attorney. I have had the privilege of working under his supervision and then alongside him in numerous family law cases. Throughout every proceeding, Mr. Goodson has always treated his clients with respect, giving each case the time and attention necessary to reach a resolution. Additionally, he is a force to be reckoned with in the court room. I highly endorse this attorney for any family law matter a client may face.
Michael Webster, Family Attorney on May 6, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Goodson is always professional, courteous, knowledgeable, and well prepared. He is rapidly developing into a top-tier family law attorney.
Eric Garmon, Family Attorney on Mar 5, 2019
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Mr. Goodson is a tireless advocate for his clients. He shows constant professionalism and I would trust him to handle any family law matter a potential client could face.
Andrew Wheeler, Family Attorney on Apr 8, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Michael is a sharp and aggressive attorney who fights for his clients.
Michael Wynn, Family Attorney on Mar 26, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mike always strives to represent clients with the highest level of integrity and efficiency. If he is on your case, you are certainly in good hands!
Kimberly Shouppe, Unknown Attorney on Jan 7, 2018
Relationship: Other
I knew Mr. Goodson when we were boh prosecutors at the State Attorney's Office in Bay County. He now practices family law and criminal defense. He is a consummate professional dedicated to his client's and their cause. I highly endorse Mr. Goodson.
Erin Baur, Family Attorney on Jan 6, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse Mr. Goodson fully. I first witnessed Mr. Goodson's advocacy skills when we were opposing counsels. He is an attorney committed to zealously advocating for his clients and reaching their litigation goals. I am proud to call him a colleague.
JerriLynn Hadley, Unknown Attorney on Jan 6, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer. Michael is aa smart hard working litigator.
Christopher Melendez, Family Attorney on Jan 6, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker
I work with Mike at the Virga Law Firm. Mike is a dedicated and knowledgeable attorney whom I regularly consult with in developing my case strategy. Described by many of our clients as a "shark", he brings his previous experience as a state attorney and tenacity as a prosecutor.
Gerard Virga, Family Attorney on Jan 4, 2018
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
Michael is an excellent attorney, who really cares about his clients. He works hard and is attentive to his clients' needs.
Jonathan Dingus, Family Attorney on Mar 10, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Michael does a good job. He is knowledgeable about the facts of The cases he works on and the facts of his cases
Stanley Peacock, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 14, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Michael Ray Goodson is a former assistant state attorney and now practices family law. He has always been well prepared and professional in his manner in my contacts with him. He is also active in the local Kiwanis Club and I have had the opportunity to see him in and out of court. His positive manner and civility in court and in the community is commendable and refreshing in the practice of law in Florida.
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