Michael I. Goldberg

Michael I. Goldberg


Akerman LLP

Recognized since 2006

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Bet-the-Company Litigation

Litigation - Bankruptcy

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Navigate to map location for Michael I. Goldberg Call Michael I. Goldberg at 954-463-2700
Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
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A Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, Michael Goldberg chairs Akerman’s Fraud and Recovery Practice, an experienced team of lawyers focused on unraveling high-profile investor fraud, including Ponzi schemes, receiverships, and EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program wrongdoing. Michael has managed some of the largest Ponzi scheme liquidation recoveries in U.S. history. More recently he has developed a reputation for his work unraveling EB-5 fraud schemes. As noted in Chambers USA, his peers call him “an extraordinary lawyer who is unflappable. He’s got a keen business mind and can forge consensus in seemingly irreconcilable disputes.” Michael previously served as chair of Akerman’s Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice Group.

As a qualified expert witness on Ponzi schemes, he is highly sought after and routinely testifies in federal and state court cases throughout the country and internationally. Michael has served as court-appointed receiver in many of his cases over the past two decades, helping victims maximize potential returns by identifying, securing, and monetizing potential assets as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Regarded as a thought leader on fraud, Michael has appeared on CNN, CNBC, Fox News, and National Public Radio to discuss Ponzi schemes and receiverships. He has also been quoted in Bloomberg, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The American Lawyer, The Miami Herald, Sun Sentinel, and numerous other publications. Michael regularly lectures on receiverships, Ponzi schemes and EB-5 fraud to regulators and various legal groups throughout the country.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 201 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 1800
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Education
  • New York University, MBA, graduated 1987
  • Boston University, BA, graduated 1985
Bar Admissions
  • Florida, The Florida Bar
  • New York, New York State Bar Association
Affiliations
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Bankruptcy Bar Association of the Southern District of Florida - Member
  • Broward County Bar Association - Member
  • Families Against Cult Teachings - Legal Advisor
  • FBI Citizens Academy - Graduate, 2008
  • New York State Bar Association - Member
  • Nova University School of Law - Board of Trustees, 2012-2014
  • The Florida Bar - Member

Akerman LLP
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

228 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

122 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Fort Lauderdale (2025)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Fort Lauderdale (2024)
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy, Fort Lauderdale (2024)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Fort Lauderdale (2021)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Fort Lauderdale (2020)
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy, Fort Lauderdale (2019)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Fort Lauderdale (2018)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Fort Lauderdale (2016)
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy, Miami (2015)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Miami (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
Awards:
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
  • Paul J. Liacos Scholar; G. Joseph Tauro Scholar
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Leadership Award, 2000
  • BTI 2007, Listed as a Client Service "All-Star"
  • Super Lawyers Magazine 2010, Listed in Florida as a "Top 100 Lawyer"
  • Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyer in Bankruptcy, Winner, 2013
  • Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2005-2011, 2013-2015, Listed for Bankruptcy & Workout
  • Super Lawyers Magazine 2007-2016, Listed in Florida for Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights
  • South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyers 2004-2015, Listed for Bankruptcy, Creditors Rights
  • Daily Business Review, "Lawyer of the Year," Finalist, 2015
  • Chambers USA 2006-2016, Ranked in Florida for Bankruptcy/Restructuring

Publications

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