• University of Virginia
  J.D., 1981
• Indiana University
  M.A., 1978
• University of Virginia
  B.A., with high distinction, 1976

Professional

• The Florida Bar (Board of Governors, 2010-2018; Board of Governors Executive Committee, 2017-2018; Board of Governors Board Review Committee on Professional Ethics, 2017)
• Hillsborough County Bar Association - Past President & Director
• Hillsborough County Bar Foundation - Past President & Board of Trustees
• The Federal Bar Association, Tampa Bay Chapter - Past President
• Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine - Past Editor
• Tampa Bay Inn of Court - Master, Parliamentarian & Treasurer (1993-Present)

Civic

• American Heart Association, Metro Tampa Division - Past President
• Tampa Theatre - Board of Directors
• Henry B. Plant Museum - Past President
• Leadership Tampa - Class of 1990
• Leadership Tampa Alumni
• U.S. Magistrate Judge Selection Committee - Past Chair
• University of Tampa Board of Counselors - Past Chairman
• University of Tampa Board of Fellows - Board Member
• Hyde Park United Methodist Church – Usher

Recognized on numerous occasions as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers” in Florida, Mike brings a diverse litigation experience to his mediation practice.

He has successfully defended more than 25 class action lawsuits, either by avoiding certification of the class or by negotiating favorable pretrial settlements. In recent years, Mike also has devoted considerable attention to cybersecurity, privacy laws, and electronic discovery matters. He works with clients to develop strategies for electronic data organization, retention and collection – both before and during litigation – so they are prepared to actively avoid, pursue or defend disputes in the most efficient way possible. Additionally, he assists clients in managing the security and privacy of their data, including actively responding to data breach incidents and ensuring compliance with state and federal data breach notification requirements.

Mike is a recognized leader in bar association and other professional activities. He served eight years on the Board of Governors for The Florida Bar Association and is a Past President of the Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA). He also has served as President of both the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation and the Federal Bar Association (Tampa Bay Chapter). In 2016, he received the HCBA’s “Outstanding Lawyer Award” for the exemplary example he set in the practice of law and his high level of professionalism.  In 2018, he received the Tampa Bay Inn of Court’s “Abraham Lincoln Award,” recognizing legal excellence, civility, and ethics in the practice of law. He is also a past recipient of the Federal Bar Association’s “George C. Carr Memorial Award,” and the HCBA Trial Lawyers Section’s “Michael A. Fogarty In The Trenches Award,” which recognize excellence in federal legal practice and in civil practice, respectively.

In addition to his professional activities, Mike has been active in community and charitable activities his entire career, serving as President of the American Heart Association, Chair of the University of Tampa’s Board of Counselors, and President of the Henry B. Plant Museum. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Tampa Theatre.

Outside the office, Mike applies his attention to detail in restoring vintage automobiles. His “hands-on” restorations of a 1955 and a 1965 Corvette both received the highest concours award bestowed by the National Corvette Restorers Society.

     Mike’s recent publications and speaking engagements include:

• "Have We Reached the Tipping Point? Emerging Causation Issues in Data-Breach Litigation," The Florida Bar Journal (May-June 2020)
• “Businesses Beware: COVID-19 Litigation Is Coming” (April 2020)
• "Towards A National Privacy Law," Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine (May-June 2019)
• "Can I Call You? Or Will You Sue Me?" The Federal Lawyer (December 2018)
• “Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Protection Alert: A Guide to Protecting Your Data” (January 2019)
• "Cyber Event:  Protocols for Business across Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas" (November 2017)
• "If you Represent Government Contractors, Beware:  False Claims Act Litigation Is Rapidly Becoming a Growth Industry," The Federal Lawyer (March 2017)
• "You've Been Hacked, and Now You're Being Sued," The Florida Bar Journal (July/August 2016)
• "Off the Record with Hon. Charlene E. Honeywell" Hillsborough County Bar Association's Lawyer Magazine (September/October 2015)
• “Too Many Lawyers – Is It Really a Problem?” The Federal Lawyer (September 2014)
• “Lawyers Who Shaped America: Thomas Jefferson, The Genius of Monticello, The Bencher (January-February 2012)
• “Joint and Several Liability in Florida: Are Reports of Its Demise Greatly Exaggerated?” The Florida Bar Journal (2006)
• Tampa Partner Michael Hooker Receives 2018 Abraham Lincoln Award (5/21/2018)
• Tampa Attorneys Detail Cybersecuirty Litigation in Florida Bar Journal (7/12/2016)
• The Florida Bar 2018 Winter Meeting (January 2018)
• “Corporate Representative Depositions – What Corporate Counsel Need to Know,” ACC West Florida Chapter Lunch (September 2016)
• "It's Not If, But When: Cyber Security Best Practices - Prepare, Detect, Respond" (April 2016) Panelist
• “Successfully Navigating Cyberbreaches” (September 2015)