$ 150-400 per hour
Michael J Cortes
About Michael
Biography
Prior to graduating as valedictorian from law school, Michael had a career as a wealth manager and investment specialist with a nationally known brokerage firm. Michael has limited his practice of law to solely Marital and Family law since his admission to the Florida Bar.
As a divorced father of two small children, Michael knows how emotionally devastating a divorce can be on the parents and especially the children. Therefore, his goal as an attorney is to minimize the impact a divorce has on a family by resolving disputes in a creative and amicable way, when possible, in order to maintain the necessary post-divorce relationship to the extent necessary to protect the children. However, when alternative dispute resolutions methods are unsuccessful, Michael is an aggressive and formidable trial lawyer, prepared to go the distance for his clients.
Michael received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida in 1996. He received his Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Michael is a member of the Florida Bar, Family Law Section, the Orange County Bar Association, the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida, and the Central Florida Family Law Inn of Court. On a personal level, Michael is actively involved with the graduate chapter of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and volunteers extensively in our community
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
60%
17 years | 300 cases
Family
20%
17 years | 150 cases
Domestic Violence
15%
17 years | 80 cases
Marriage and Prenuptials
5%
17 years | 35 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 16 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2009
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2024
Location
Cortes & Medina, PLLC
994 Douglas Avenue, Suite 100, Altamonte Springs, FL, 32714
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Michael J Cortes's Reviews
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Karen | May 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
If you not only want but NEED results do yourself a favor... hire Mike Cortes w/o hesitation
I've had bad lawyers and that sets the contrast between Mike and any other available family law attorney out there. He is by far THE most effective, efficient, responsive and patient attorney in Seminole county and beyond. He has moved mountains that could never be moved prior to signing his retainer...
Posted by anonymous | July 6, 2012
Divorce Savior
I had been going through a divorce for 4+years after being run through the ringer and thousands of dollars I found out that my attorney wasn't doing me justice. I was left with no money and no council with 2 days until trial when I found Michael, we worked out the finances and he went to work. I was ...
Posted by anonymous | June 29, 2012
Knowledgable, organized and quick response
Michael is not just a great attorney; he is someone that you can trust. He accomplished more in moving the divorce proceedings forward in three months, compared to my previous attorney did in six months. He handled my divorce case and walked me through the entire process. He responds quickly to any q...
Posted by Rita | December 28, 2011
Divorce case
Michael is responsive, trustworthy, genuinely concerned, very professional, extremely knowledgeable about family law and is an excellent choice for a divorce or child custody issues. Michael is handling a divorce and child custody case for my daughter and she and he have asked that I be involved so ...
Michael J Cortes's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mike is an extremely professional and passionate attorney! He understands the clients' struggles and works hard to resolve the case for his clients."
"Mike is a very bright attorney. He has a real grasp on the practice and would be a great advocate for anyone lucky enough to have him as their counsel."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mike is a great lawyer, hard worker, and cares for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Aggressive representation in the court room is something every client needs. Look no further."
"I refer most of my clients with family law needs to Michael Cortes, and each and every one of them has been extremely pleased with him. He is knowledgeable, highly intelligent, thorough, direct, and completely professional. It is always a pleasure to work with Mike!"
"I highly endorse this lawyer. Michael is someone I turn to for complex family law questions, and he always has the answers. He is a passionate attorney who works zealously for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael displayed a great deal of professionalism throughout a highly contentious family law case. He is honest, reasonable, prepared, knowledgeable of the law and adept at applying it to the situation at hand."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Michael is an outstanding lawyer and my go-to guy for his area of law. Frankly, divorce law is almost always contentious, and Michael is as calm and centered as a man can be. Good luck trying to rattle him if you are opposing counsel--that ain't gonna happen. If I needed a divorce attorney, Michael is the one attorney I would call, and I'd have absolutely no issues with recommending him to my closest family and friends."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is a phenomenal attorney. He is highly knowledgeable, zealous, and compassionate."
"Michael is the one of the most passionate family law attorneys know. He aggressively protects his clients while at the same time understanding and appreciating the sensitive nature of family disputes. I endorse this lawyer."
"Michael's name is widely known in the legal community. His knowledge and professionalism outshine most attorneys' in the field of family law."
"I had the privilege of attending law school with Mike, who is one of the smartest people I have ever met. He's an out-of-box, quick-on-his-feet thinker, which serves his clients immeasurably well. Mike is a consummate professional and one of the best lawyers around."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have had the opportunity to work as opposing counsel with Mr. Cortes. His dedication to his clients, professionalism and work ethic is breath taking. I can rest assured that if I call Mr. Cortes, he will immediately take my call or promptly return my call. Every effort made by Mr. Cortes is in his clients very best interest. Mr. Cortes is very well respected in the legal community and I highly recommend him as a dynamic and zealous Family Law Attorney."
"Michael Cortes demonstrates legal insight and skill far ahead of his years in practice. He is a formidable adversary, whom I respect and endorse."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024.
Suspension with Conditions issued in FL, 2024
updated on 09/04/2024This means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.
Honors
2019
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Legal Elite, Florida Trends Magazine
2015
AV Rating, Martindale Hubell
2009
Valedictorian, Florida A&M University, College of Law
2008
Scholarship Recipient, Holland & Knight, LLP
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Founding Partner, Cortes & Medina, PLLC
2013 - Present
Attorney, Michael J. Cortes, P.A.
2009 - 2013
Attorney, West, Green & Associates, P.L.
1997 - 2006
Principal, Charles Schwab & Co.
Associations
2015 - Present
Collaborative Family Law Group of Central FloridaMember
2013 - Present
Seminole County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Hispanic Bar Association of Central FloridaMember
2009 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Solo Practitioner/Small Firm SectionMember
2009 - Present
Florida BarMember
2009 - Present
Florida Bar, Family Law SectionMember
2007 - Present
Central Florida Family Law American Inn of CourtAssociate Member
1996 - Present
Phi Gamma Delta Graduate ChapterMember
2014 - 2017
Remington CollegeAdvisory Board
2013 - 2015
Hammock Reserve HOAPresident
Sample of Legal Cases
Seminole County 1
My client received alimony and full payments of his attorneys' fees and costs
Education
2014
Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
Certificate
2009
Florida A&M University, College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1996
University of Central Florida
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2017
Classroom Speaker
Family Law Trends
2016
Tuscawilla Home Owner's Assoc.
Estate Planning for your Family
2014
Teach In
Education and the Practice of Law
2011
Regular Guest Speaker for Family Law Classes
Family Law
Publications
2009
Florida A & M University Law Review
Various
2008
Oxford Symposium
Bank Frauds and Tracking the Assets of Involvents
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Without court order or parental plan can police get involved in custody case?
18 Jul 2014
Q&A
Can I sue the department of revenue?
01 Jul 2014
Q&A
Is it trespassing if one spouse allows guest into home and other spouse asks guest to leave?
19 Jun 2014