Michael A. Haggard

Michael A. Haggard is the Managing Partner of The Haggard Law Firm, P.A. in Coral Gables, Florida, and one of the most decorated crime-victim and negligent-security trial lawyers in the country. For more than two decades he has concentrated on representing people who were shot, stabbed, assaulted, or killed because a property owner failed to provide reasonable security — and the families they left behind.

He is the only plaintiff’s personal injury attorney in the United States to secure three separate $100 million verdicts for individual clients, including a $102.7 million verdict — the largest negligent-security verdict in U.S. history — for a man left paralyzed after being shot due to inadequate security. The firm has handled nearly 500 negligent-security cases.

Beyond the courtroom, Haggard is a national advocate for victims’ rights and public safety. He has testified before Congress, helped drive passage of national safety legislation, and represented families of the Parkland school shooting.

Education

• J.D., University of Miami School of Law (1995) — Book Award, “Advanced Litigation Skills”
• B.S., Florida State University (1992) — Dean’s List Scholar; Order of Omega and Omicron Delta Kappa; President, Interfraternity Council (1991–1992); Greek Man of the Year (1992)

Bar & court admissions

• The Florida Bar — admitted 1996 (Bar No. 73776)
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (1997)
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (2007)
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida (2021)

Notable verdicts & settlements

A selection of results obtained for crime victims and their families:

• $102.7 million verdict — patron shot and paralyzed due to inadequate security; the largest negligent-security verdict in U.S. history
• $16 million settlement — apartment-complex shooting with no guard on duty and insufficient access control
• $8.6 million settlement — negligent-security wrongful death
• $8 million settlement — Central Florida negligent-security shooting
• $3.9 million jury verdict — teenager shot and killed in an apartment parking lot

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and is judged on its own facts.

Leadership in the crime-victim movement

• National Crime Victim Bar Association — President (2018); Board of Directors (2009–present); recipient of the Distinguished Service Award and the Advocate of Justice Award
• Florida Justice Association — President (2009–2010), Secretary (2006–2007), Board of Directors and Executive Committee (1999–2005); recipient of the Perry Nichols Lifetime Achievement Award, Eagle Centurion Award, Gold Eagle Award, Silver Eagle Award, and Shoe Leather Award
• Miami-Dade Justice Association — President (2002), President-Elect (2001), Treasurer (2000), Secretary (1999), Director (1997–1999)
• National Center for Victims of Crime — Secretary (2024)
• American Association for Justice — Inadequate Security Section

Public-safety advocacy

Beyond his trial work, Haggard is a longtime advocate for violence prevention and public safety:

• Board Member, The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention
• Board Member, National Drowning Prevention Alliance
• Member, Coalition for Family Safety
• Member, MADD Barristers Council
• Recipient, Justice For All Award — National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (Coral Gables Police Department)

Honors & recognition

• “Lawyer of the Year,” Best Lawyers in America (2018, 2024)
• Social Impact Award, Florida Legal Awards (2022)
• Best Mentor Award, Florida Legal Awards (2021)
• America’s Top 100 Attorneys® — Lifetime Achievement
• “Top 500 in the Nation,” Lawdragon
• Florida “Super Lawyers” — Top 100
• Florida Trend “Legal Elite” and “Legal Elite Hall of Fame”
• “Most Effective Lawyer,” Daily Business Review (2005, 2008)
• “40 Under 40,” The National Law Journal (2005)
• “Miami Superstar,” Attorney at Law Magazine (2017)
• Florida Monthly “Top Lawyers in Florida”
• Martindale-Hubbell “AV Preeminent” rated
• Member, Million-Dollar Advocates Forum

Professional memberships

• Fellow, The International Society of Barristers
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, American Association for Justice
• Member, ASIS International
• Trustee, Florida Supreme Court Historical Society
• Member, President’s Council, Florida International University
• Trustee, Florida Lawyers Action Group
• Member, Coral Gables Bar Association
• Member, Miami-Dade County Bar Association