Michael R. Bakst

Partner

Michael R. Bakst is experienced primarily in various fields of bankruptcy and insolvency, including representing creditors, bankruptcy trustees, and receivers, as well as representing litigants within complex bankruptcy matters, commercial litigation, receiverships, and assignments for the benefit of creditors. He is a panel United States Bankruptcy Trustee for the Southern District of Florida. Mr. Bakst has also served as an Examiner appointed through the offices of the United States Trustee.

Mr. Bakst frequently speaks at continuing education seminars for bankruptcy and commercial litigation practitioners, as well as continuing education seminars for trustees in bankruptcy on a regional level.

Experience

Professional and Community Involvement

American Bankruptcy Institute, 49^th Annual Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar Advisory Board Member, 2024-2025
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Current Member
Bankruptcy Bar Association of the Southern District of Florida, Past Director
City of West Palm Beach Planning Board, Member, Planning Board, 2015-2018
City of West Palm Beach Zoning Board of Appeals, Chairperson, 2000-2015
National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
Palm Beach County Bar Association, Member
Southern District of Florida, Standing Local Rules Advisory Committee, Appointee Member, 2003-2004

Speaking Engagements

Panelist, “Trustees Come in All Shapes and Sizes,” American Bankruptcy Institute Seminar, February 27, 2025
Panelist, “Trustee’s Avoidance Powers,” Region 21 Trustee Association Webinar, May 2, 2019
Panelist, “Bankruptcy Litigation: Tips, Tricks and Best Practices,” Bankruptcy Bar Association Southern District of Florida, April 24, 2019
Speaker, “View of Bankruptcy Practice: The interaction between bankruptcy and state court practice,” Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Law CLE Committee, December 8, 2017
Panelist, “Bankruptcy: A View from the Bench,” Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Bench Bar Conference, March 10, 2017

Awards

Best Lawyers®, “The Best Lawyers in America,” Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2010-2026
The Boca Raton Observer, “Top Lawyers,” 2025
Super Lawyers magazine, “Super Lawyers Florida,” Bankruptcy: Business, 2012-2025
Palm Beach Illustrated, “Top Lawyers,” 2019, 2021, 2024
Martindale-Hubbell, Rated AV® Preeminent™