Michael D. Leader

Michael D. Leader devotes most of his current practice to alternative dispute resolution as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator and a Qualified Arbitrator. Mr. Leader’s law practice has included insurance litigation, personal injury, probate and estate disputes, commercial litigation, healthcare law, and nursing home/long-term care negligence, Chapter 400 cases, construction and employment disputes and a substantial background in complex DUI and criminal defense.

As an Assistant State Attorney, he personally has tried more than 60 jury trials and over 25 bench trials, developing courtroom advocacy and case-evaluation skills that translate directly to effective mediation and arbitration strategies.

He later handled complex, multimillion-dollar claims for major healthcare providers doing business in Florida along with representing clients statewide in first-party insurance disputes, statutory violation actions, and high-stakes civil cases.

Mr. Leader is also a licensed Nursing Home Administrator who assisted in managing one of the largest long-term care facilities in Florida. This operational experience, covering regulatory compliance, staffing, reimbursement, resident care, and corporate risk management, gives him uncommon insight into how healthcare systems function and how coverage structures, self-insurance programs, and statutory caps can affect dispute resolution strategy.

As a neutral, Mr. Leader is engaged and practical and can provide reality-testing grounded in decades of trial experience on both sides of the “v.” He prioritizes efficient, durable resolutions that reduce the cost and emotional strain of prolonged litigation, while respecting the advocacy role of counsel and the decision-making authority of parties.