Michael R. Bakst

Overview

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

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
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

Awards

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