Overview
Experience
Awards
Publications
News & Videos
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 continued education seminars for trustees in bankruptcy on a regional level.
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Court Admissions
- U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, Southern and Middle Districts of Florida
- U.S. District Courts, Southern and Middle Districts of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida Trial Bar
- U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
Education
- J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 1990
- B.A., University of Miami, 1987
Professional and Community Involvement
- 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
- Southern District of Florida, Standing Local Rules Advisory Committee, Appointee Member, 2003-2004
Speaking Engagements
- 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
Recognitions
- Best Lawyers®, “The Best Lawyers in America,” Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2024-2025
- Palm Beach Illustrated, “Top Lawyers,” 2024
- U.S. News & World Report, “The Best Lawyers in America,” Bankruptcy and Creditor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2010-2023
- Super Lawyers magazine, “Super Lawyers Florida,” Bankruptcy: Business, 2012-2024
- Martindale-Hubbell, Rated AV® Preeminent™
- Palm Beach Illustrated, “Top Lawyers,” 2019, 2021
- Super Lawyers magazine, Super Lawyers Business Edition, Bankruptcy, 2014-2015
In the News
- Featured, “South Florida Lawyers Are Raking in Million Working in Bankruptcy Court,” Daily Business Review, March 21, 2019
News
- Sep 3, 2024 Greenspoon Marder Partners Michael Bakst and Laurence Blair Named in Palm Beach Illustrated’s Top Lawyers List 2024
- Aug 15, 2024 56 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Edition
- Jun 26, 2024 Ten Greenspoon Marder Partners Named Florida Super Lawyers 2024
- Aug 17, 2023 49 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 Edition
- Jun 26, 2023 14 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Recognized As 2023 Florida “Super Lawyers”
- Aug 18, 2022 48 Attorneys At Greenspoon Marder Listed In The Best Lawyers In America® 2023
- Jun 24, 2022 17 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Recognized As 2022 Florida “Super Lawyers”
- Jan 4, 2022 Greenspoon Marder Partner Michael Bakst Selected As A “Top Lawyer” By Jupiter Magazine For 2022
- Nov 14, 2017 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Receive 2018 AV Preeminent Rating By Martindale-Hubbell
- Nov 3, 2017 Greenspoon Marder Attorneys Receive 2017 AV Preeminent Rating By Martindale-Hubbell
- Jun 23, 2016 Super Lawyers Recognizes 38 Attorneys at Greenspoon Marder
- Feb 9, 2015 Michael Bakst Appointed to the City of West Palm Beach Planning Board