Shutts & Bowen LLP

104 Best Lawyers awards

Awarded Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law Land Use and Zoning Law Litigation - Real Estate Real Estate Law

Biography

Michael R. Whitt is a trial-tested attorney with over 35 years of experience, concentrating his trial practice in the areas of eminent domain, inverse condemnation, and business and real estate disputes. Mike’s experience includes a wide array of business and real estate litigation, including eminent domain, zoning and land use, boundary and title disputes, inverse condemnation and other property right matters. Mike is Board Certified by The Florida Bar as a Specialist in Business Litigation. In these areas, and throughout the trial process, Mike has counseled individuals and small businesses, as well as Fortune 100 companies, and foreign individuals and businesses.

Mike leverages his deep understanding of eminent domain laws and his knowledge of government and construction regulations to counsel his clients through all stages of the eminent domain process, from initial acquisition procedures through litigation, in an effort to maximize the compensation they receive.

Representation

Mike has litigated cases dealing with condemnation, inverse condemnation, Bert J. Harris Private Property Rights Protection Act, Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act and Administrative proceedings throughout Florida.

These cases involved myriad governmental and quasi-governmental claims and disputes including road right-of-way, gas transmissions lines, electrical powerlines, flood control and storm water management, public parks, schools, municipal water and wastewater projects, sewer projects and noise walls.

Shutts & Bowen LLP

104 Best Lawyers awards

Overview

  • Nova Southeastern University, J.D., graduated 1987
  • Northern Kentucky University, B.S., graduated 1984

  • Florida, 1987

  • Association of Eminent Domain Professionals - Member
  • McGregor Student Ministry - Member
  • Reciprocal Ministries International - Member
  • Southwest Florida Federal Bar Association - Member
  • The Florida Bar - Eminent Domain Committee

  • U.S. District Courts for the Middle, Northern, and Southern Districts of Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Florida, 1987
  • Association of Eminent Domain Professionals - Member
  • McGregor Student Ministry - Member
  • Reciprocal Ministries International - Member
  • Southwest Florida Federal Bar Association - Member
  • The Florida Bar - Eminent Domain Committee
  • Nova Southeastern University, J.D., graduated 1987
  • Northern Kentucky University, B.S., graduated 1984
  • U.S. District Courts for the Middle, Northern, and Southern Districts of Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Client Testimonials

Michael Whitt, from Becker Poliakoff, handled the matter in a professional manner. He kept me informed as to the progress of the suit. When he was not available for a telephone conference, his staff was always responsive. I have been on both sides of the eminent domain battle over my 20 years of right of way career. I'd rather have him on my side than against me!

Russell Goodman (Lee County Electric Cooperative, Inc.)

Mr. Whitt is driven but easy to work with. His understanding of the law and the best applications for it amazes me. He immediately tells you the real expectation of the situation and puts his can-do attitude to work for you. I have worked with numerous land use and litigation attorneys over the years in land development, and it was a breath of fresh air to work with an attorney that saw the end goal and went for it. He put our interest first as professionally as I would expect.

Lovina Lehr (Washington Loop, LLC)

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Litigation - Real Estate
  • Real Estate Law
Awards:
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2023-26; Litigation – Real Estate, 2021-26; Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2022-26; Real Estate Law, 2023-26; Land Use and Zoning Law, 2026

  • Florida Bar Board Certified Business Litigation Lawyer
  • AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Top Lawyer, Naples Illustrated, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2021-25

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