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Michael A. France

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Biography

Michael A. France received his B.B.A. in both Finance and Accounting in 1995 from Loyola University in New Orleans. He subsequently graduated in the top ten percent of his class from the Loyola University School of Law in 1999, where he received dual degrees in both civil and common law. During law school, Mr. France was a published member of the Loyola Law Review, a co-founder of Loyola's Maritime Law Journal and an active volunteer in the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program. After graduation, Mr. France practiced as a commercial and maritime litigator with Sher Garner, a premier law firm in New Orleans where he handled admiralty issues such as application of the Jones Act and insurance claims involving the development and construction of offshore oil rigs.

Upon moving to Sarasota, Mr. France practiced and was made partner at the civil trial firm of Matthews Eastmoore before deciding to open his own practice in 2008. Since opening his office, Mr. France has dedicated his practice solely on commercial trial and appellate work. This not only includes contractual disputes, but also construction, landlord/tenant, real property, professional liability, foreclosure, lender bad faith suits and insurance coverage claims.

Michael and his family enjoy cooking together, boating and fishing.

Current Employment Position

  • Attorney

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Florida State Bar Association
  • Sarasota Bar Assocation

Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation

Honors

  • Recipient Steve Barbas Academic Scholarship
  • Loyola Martine Award for Top Performance in the field of Maritime and Admiralty
  • Officer of the Young Lawyers Division, 2004-2007
  • Chair of the Commercial Litigation Section for the Sarasota Bar Association from 2007 and 2008
  • Editor of Sarasota Bar Publication, The Docket, 2008-2009
  • Recipient Sarasota Bar Association’s President’s Award, 2009
  • Advising Member of Manatee Community College's Paralegal/Legal Assisting Program
  • Guest speaker on issues involving insurance claims, and anti-lender litigation

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana
  • Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, pro hac vice
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, pro hac vice

Education

  • Loyola University New Orleans School of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana
    • 1999
    • Honors: Graduated in Top 10%
    • Major: Common and Civil Law
  • Loyola University School of Business, New Orleans, Louisiana
    • B.B.A. - 1995
    • Honors: Dean's List
    • Major: Finance and Accounting

Pro – Bono Activities

  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, 00/1998 to 00/1999

Published Works

  • The Battle Over Late Fees: Will Late Paying Customers in Louisiana Be Able to Rise-Up Against The Business Who They Are Delinquent in Paying?, Loyola Law Review, 45 Loy. L. Rev. 171
  • Allocation and Trigger. Coverage in the Context of Long Tail Litigation, Presented at the Lorman Insurance Seminar, New Orleans, Louisiana