I was born in Philadelphia and moved to Sarasota with my family when I was 13 years old. I went to Cardinal Mooney High School and graduated with honors earning an academic scholorshiip to Manatee Community College (now named State College of Florida). After earning my Associates Degree, I moved to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida. Therafter I graduated from UF's College of Engineering with honors. I then accepted a job as an engineer with Unisys Corporation in Southern California. After several years working as an egineer I decided to enter law school at Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, California. During law school, I worked as a law clerk for Justice Norman Epstein, at the California Court of Appeals, Second District, learning much about criminal law and appellate issues. After working for Justice Epstein, and while still in law school, I began working at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Las Vegas, Nevada, prosecuting federal crimes.
After graduating law school with honors and passing the California Bar Exam, I moved to San Diego where I worked for Miller, Milove & Kob practicing securities law. While working at that firm, I realized I missed doing criminal law and wanted to spend more time in the courtroom. Having family and friends in Florida, an opportunity arose in Pinellas County to work for the Public Defender's Office, so I decided to take the Florida Bar Exam. After passing the exam, I moved back to Florida and began working at the Public Defender's Office. Shortly thereafter, I moved to Sarasota and worked as a prosecutor for the City of Sarasota. At the City Attorney's office, I not only prosecuted city crimes, I also prosecuted forfeiture cases and defended the Sarasota Police Department in civil rights lawsuits. In addition I argued several cases in front of the Second District Court of Appeals. After leaving the City Attorney's Office, I began working for a local firm, Walters, Levine, Klingsmith & Thomison. While there I practiced civil construction law and defended many criminal clients. Realizing criminal defense was my real pasion, I opened my own firm to practice exclusively criminal law.
Over the years I have worked tirelessly to protect the rights of the accused. All my life I have tried to improve on my passion to practice law, and have gone so far as to recently attend the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer's College in Wyoming. There I worked with attorneys from all over the country to sharpen my trial skills and discover new ways to defend my clients. You can be assured that should you hire my firm I will use all my experience and skills to aggressively fight for you. With the relationships I have built with the prosecutors and judges in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, the experience my firm offers, and the attention we give to each of our clients, I truly believe you will get the best result in your case with my firm.
I am currently licensed to practice law in Florida, California and Arizona. I maintain offices in both Sarasota and Manatee.
Practice areas
We defend people who have been charged with crimes in both State and Federal courts. We have represented over a 1000 clients. Our representation varies from simple traffic violations to serious felony charges. We offer free consultations and can arrange affordable payment plans.
28 years
We represent those charged with misdemeanor or felony DUIs. As part of our representation, we will challenge every aspect of your DUI, including the breath test, the arrest, any refusal to take the breath test, the stop, and any other issues that may arise in your case. Thereafter, we will advise you on taking your case to trial or settling your case by negotiating a sentence. In addition, we will challenge your license suspension if we are hired within 10 days of your DUI arrest.
28 years
We defend people who have been charged with crimes in Federal courts. We have represented over a 1000 clients. Having formerly worked at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Las Vegas, Mr. Perry has a keen insight on how to defend those charged in federal court. We offer free consultations and can arrange affordable payment plans.
28 years
We represent those who have been charged with any traffic violation, including those traffic violations resulting in a crash or serious injuries. We have been extremely successful in keeping points off of people's license, and offer money back guarantees should points be assessed. Furthermore, we have had many citations dismissed as a result of legal challenges we make at the time of the hearing. Please contact us if you would like to keep a clean driving record.
28 years
Languages spoken
English, Spanish
Michael S. Perry, PA
1962 Main Street, #217
Sarasota, FL, 34236
Michael S. Perry, P.A.
1101 Ninth Avenue West
(By Appointment Only)
Bradenton, FL, 34205
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
AZ | Administrative - Not Authorized to Practice | 1999 | 05/22/2022 |
FL | Member in Good Standing | 1995 | 06/01/2022 |
CA | Inactive | 1994 | 02/07/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Best Program Award | Judge Schebb John M. Schebb American Inn of Court | 2011 |
Graduate Award | Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College | 2011 |
BV | Martindale-Hubbell | 2006 |
Certified Scuba Diver | PADI | 1990 |
Black Belt Tae Kwon Do | Grand Master Jung Soo Park | 1982 |
Selby Academic Scholarship | Selby Foundation | 1981 |
Deans List | University of Forida | N/A |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney/Owner | The Law Place | 2015 - Present |
Attorney | Michael S. Perry PA | 2002 - 2015 |
Attorney | Walters, Levine, Klingensmith & Thomison | 2000 - 2002 |
City Prosecutor | Sarasota City Attorney's Office | 1996 - 2000 |
Attorney | Office of Public Defender, Sixth Judicial Circuit | 1995 - 1996 |
Attorney | Miller & Milove | 1994 - 1995 |
Clerk | Judge Norman Epstein, Second District Court of Appeal, California | 1993 - 1994 |
Clerk | United States Attorney's Office, District Of Nevada | 1993 - 1993 |
Engineer | Unisys Corporation | 1987 - 1991 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College | Associate Member | 2011 - Present |
National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys | Member | 2003 - Present |
Sarasota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Associate Member | 2002 - Present |
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Sarasota chapter) | Member | 2001 - Present |
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida | Attorney | 2000 - Present |
State Bar of Arizona | Member | 1999 - Present |
Sarasota County American Inn of Court | Barrister | 1998 - Present |
Sarasota County Bar Association | Member | 1996 - Present |
State Bar of Florida | Member | 1995 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1994 - Present |
United States District Court for the Central District of California | Attorney | 1994 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Appellate Court Decision | Daley v. City of Sarsaota | 2000 |
Appellate Court Decision | City of Sarasota v. Windom | 1999 |
Appellate Court Decision | City of Sarasota v. 35 S. Lemon, Inc | 1998 |
Appellate Court Decision | Johnson v. City of Sarasota | 1997 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Southern California Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1994 |
University of Florida | Bachelors of Science | 1986 |
Manatee Junior College | Associate of Arts | 1983 |
Cardinal Mooney High School | Diploma | 1981 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Law Week | Moot Court | 2011 |
Public Records Law | Public Records Law | 1999 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Sarasota County Case # 2012 CT 12799 | DUI reduced to reckless driving. No conviction and no court license suspension. |
Manatee County Case # 2012 DR 7845 AX | Dismissed |
Sarasota County Case # 2011 CF 12905 NC | No jail |
Sarasota County Case # 2012 CF 009800 NC | Dropped |
Sarasota County Case # 2012 MM 003700 NC | Not Guilty |
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December 20, 2017
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July 21, 2017
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December 16, 2016
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June 15, 2016
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May 4, 2016
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February 14, 2016
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October 30, 2015
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June 23, 2015
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May 14, 2015
Jeff Weintraub, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 2, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Michael for 22 years. He is an excellent criminal defense attorney. Michael is extremely well-respected in the criminal defense community, knowledgeable of the laws and conducts all of his work with honesty and integrity.
Erica Buckley, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 29, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Michael is a highly respected, caring, and skillful attorney. He is smart, knowledgeable, and a hardworking attorney. I endorse Michael without hesitation.
Jeff Weintraub, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 2, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Michael for 22 years. He is an excellent criminal defense attorney. Michael is extremely well-respected in the criminal defense community, knowledgeable of the laws and conducts all of his work with honesty and integrity.
Erica Buckley, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 29, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Michael is a highly respected, caring, and skillful attorney. He is smart, knowledgeable, and a hardworking attorney. I endorse Michael without hesitation.
Hillary Johnson, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 9, 2014
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer. I endorse Mike Perry. I have the honor of working alongside Mr. Perry everyday and handled a number of cases with him. You won't find a better attorney, negotiator or advocate in the area. Mr. Perry is very knowledgeable and obtains amazing results!
Steve Santiago, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Perry is a highly skilled, professional and knowledgeable attorney. A true asset to the legal community.
James Mills, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 4, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have worked with Michael on several criminal matters that also involved immigration issues. If I were facing criminal charges, I would definitely speak with him. Very good and experienced.
Sherry Ellis, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 13, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Michael for 15 years and I was opposing Counsel on a few of his cases when I was a prosecutor. Michael really goes the distance for his clients. He handles his client's immediate needs while looking out for their future needs.
Jose Flores, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 30, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
David Haenel, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 20, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Michael wholeheartedly. I have known Michael for over 10 years. He is a stong advocate for his clients and will stop at nothing to get the best result. I often refer conflict cases to him with great confidence that he will give them the best representation in all criminal and traffic matters.
James Mcgee, DUI and DWI Attorney on Feb 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I recommend Michael for anybody who has a dwi in South Florida. He knows his stuff and really cares about his clients. He gets great results!
Christian Posada, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 27, 2013
Relationship: Friend
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Ortiz, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 14, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I've known Michael for a number of years and absolutely know he's more than capable to handle any criminal defense matter. He's quick to respond to the client's needs and strongly advocates for them leaving no stone unturned.
Dana Moss, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 17, 2012
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse Mike Perry. I worked in his firm and handled a number of cases with Mike. You won't find a better negotiator in the area. He is a zealous advocate, who knows the law and gets amazing results.
Luke Newman, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 10, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I feel comfortable sending my clients to Mr. Perry. I fully endorse his work.
Colleen Glenn, Unknown Attorney on Sep 3, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Michael Perry. I refer all of my client with pending federal charges to him and they have all been pleased with his representation. Mr. Perry is a very competent attorney and fights aggressively for his clients. I highly recommend him.
Jeremy Hollingshead, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 16, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Nobody cares more his clients than Michael. He is charismatic and passionate, and it shows in the courtroom. Among lawyers, Michael is highly respected for his skill, preparation and willingness to take a case to trial. If you are in trouble in Florida and need a great trial lawyer, Michael's the man for the job!
AnneMarie Rizzo, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 12, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mike is a great lawyer always trying to come up with unique ways to defend his clients. Mike doesn't give up and is always fighting for his clients' best interests until he gets what he wants. He is true advocate!
Matthew Martell, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 17, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mike is a hard working and very competitive attorney. He prides himself on winning and obtaining favorable results for his clients. I have sent clients to him in the past and he has always taken good care of them and got them out of trouble. In short, I highly recommend this lawyer.
Anthony Ryan, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 3, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Michael is a tireless advocate for his clients. He takes a hands on approach and isn't afraid to mix it up with the state. He is definitely a fighter who gets good results for his clients.
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