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Michelle Karinne Suarez
also known as Michelle Notte
About Michelle
Biography
I represent established business owners and growth-stage companies — typically operating businesses generating $1M to $30M in annual revenue — as outside corporate counsel, deal counsel, and pre-suit business-dispute counsel. I also regularly serve as Florida and Ohio corporate co-counsel to litigators, IP and tax boutiques, estate planners, and out-of-state firms whose clients need a transactional partner on a deal or a strategic business dispute.
I am the founder and Managing Partner of The Entrepreneur Lawyers (TELS), a boutique business law firm with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Jefferson, Ohio. We work with founder-led companies across healthcare and life sciences, franchising, e-commerce, technology and SaaS, motor carrier and logistics, professional services, and real estate development.
What I handle:
- Mergers & Acquisitions. Buy- and sell-side representation on founder-led transactions, including asset and equity purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, due diligence, SBA-financed acquisitions, earn-outs, escrow structures, and post-closing transition. Experience in transactions ranging from sub-$1M small-business sales to a sale closing at just under $50M.
- Corporate / Outside General Counsel. Entity selection and formation, operating agreements, bylaws, shareholder agreements, buy-sell agreements, C-suite and executive compensation, employment policies and handbooks, independent contractor agreements, and the recurring contract work (MSAs, service agreements, distributorship and joint venture agreements, NDAs) that drives day-to-day business.
- Franchise Law. Franchise purchase and sale transactions, franchise establishment (franchisor side), franchisee-side franchisor consent and transfer issues, FDD review, multi-unit development, lease guaranty and Buyer/Seller risk allocation, and franchise disputes.
- Securities & Capital Raising. Regulation D Rule 506(b) and 506(c) private placements, Form D / EDGAR filings, subscription documents, accredited investor verification, and securities compliance opinion letters. I served on the Florida Bar Business Law Section's 517 Task Force, which worked with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation on the revisions to the Florida Securities & Investor Protection Act (effective October 1, 2024).
- Pre-Suit Business Disputes. Internal disputes among partners and shareholders, B2B contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, oppression and freeze-out claims, member dissociation and director removal under Florida's LLC and corporation statutes, Rule 10b-5 material misstatement and omission claims, and whistleblower exposure. The work centers on rights-and-remedies analysis, demand letters, buyout negotiations, and pre-suit settlement — with a clear-eyed view of when litigation is the better path.
- Commercial Litigation. Shareholder, partnership, fiduciary duty, non-compete, trade secret, and breach-of-contract disputes in Florida state court, including bench and jury trials.
Recognitions:
- Florida Super Lawyer, 2025–2026
- Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2016–2023
- Legal Luminaries, Corporate / M&A / Private Equity Attorney of the Year, 2024
- Boca Raton Observer Top Lawyers, 2022–2024
- Broward County Bar Association Top 40 Under 40 Attorneys, 2021
- Florida Bar Business Law Section, Outstanding Member of the Year, 2020
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Bar Admissions:
- The Florida Bar;
- The Ohio Bar;
- U.S. District Court — Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida.
Service:
- Florida Bar Business Law Section — Corporations, Securities & Financial Services Committee (Chair, 2022–Present);
- Chapter 517 (Securities) Task Force;
- Business Court Task Force;
- Diversity & Inclusion Committee of The Florida Bar.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Ohio for < 1 year
State: Ohio
Acquired: 2025
No misconduct found
Licensed in Florida for 12 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2013
No misconduct found
Location
The Entrepreneur Lawyers, P.A.
101 NE 3rd Ave. Suite 1500, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301
Law Offices of Michelle Karinne Suarez
300 S Orange Avenue, Suite 1000, Orlando, FL, 32801
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Michelle Karinne Suarez's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
2 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Posted by Michael | September 19, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Business
Stays On Top Of Things!
Michelle did a great job helping me settle two business transaction disputes. The negotiations were tough and took a long time but she stayed on top of the opposing counsel and got me to the finish line with a very agreeable settlement. I give her a lot of credit for helping me avoid costly litiga...
Michelle Suarez
Replied last September 19, 2019Thank you so much for the review Mike! It was a long process but well worth it. I am happy that I was able to help you negotiate your business transactions in a manner that was cost efficient and met your goals. I look forward to working together again in the future!
Posted by Charlie | August 09, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Awesome Intelligence
Great experience after hiring, her research ability helped to formulate a winning strategy. I would enthusiastically recommend her.
Michelle Karinne Suarez's Lawyer Endorsements
"Michelle is a truly dedicated lawyer who shares entrepreneurs' experience and spirit and will be able to understand their needs much faster than the average attorney. She is very involved in a number of top legal associations and thus is always up to date on the legal landscape, in turn ensuring that her clients are compliant."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michelle is known for her superior knowledge of the law and her ability to relate to people. She is a real go getter and an asset to anyone's team!"
"Michelle is a hardworking, personable attorney who will try her best to help you with whatever problems you may have. I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2016
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2013
NSU Alumni Scholarship Award, Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
2011
Rebecca Knox Fellowship, Legal Aid of Broward County
Work Experience
2017 - Present
CEO/Partner, Florida Entrepreneur Law, P.A.
2015 - Present
Associate Attorney, Kelley Kronenberg Gilmartin Fichtel & Wander, PA
2014 - 2015
Associate Attorney, Conroy, Simberg, Ganon, Krevans, Abel, Lurvey, Morrow & Schefer, PA
2013 - 2014
Attorney, RKE Law Group
Associations
2019 - Present
Commercial Real Estate WomenLegal Director/Chair of Fort Lauderdale/Boca Raton Chapter
2019 - Present
Florida Bar, Member Benefits CommitteesVice Chair
2018 - Present
Commercial Real Estate WomenMembership Chair
2018 - Present
Florida Bar, Business Law SectionMember, Business Court Task Force
2013 - Present
Broward County Bar AssociationMember
2013 - Present
Business Law Section of the Florida BarMember
2019 - 2020
Florida Bar, Business Law Section, IMF CommitteeVice Chair
Sample of Legal Cases
Prevailed at Trial against Majority Shareholder
Judgment entered against majority shareholder with a 6 figure judgment in favor of the Plaintiff
Education
2013
Nova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad Law Center
Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor
2006
Florida International University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2016
SCORE of Palm Beach County
Contract Drafting Basics for New Businesses
Publications
2016
Daily Business Review
"So You Want to Start Your Own Protein Company?"
2015
Languages
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I use a virtual office for my business when registering local and county licenses?
22 Sep 2021
Q&A
What Florida statute requires an outgoing Property Owners Assoc. board to turn over all documents to a newly elected POA board?
21 Sep 2021
Q&A
IS A SHARE HOLDER RESPONSIBLE FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IN AN LLC ?
16 Sep 2019