Michael A. Gottlieb

Michael A. Gottlieb is the founder of his own firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida however, takes high profile federal criminal cases nationwide. He is a trusted name for criminal defense with a emphasis on federal criminal cases nationwide.  Mr. Gottlieb has achieved acquittals in numerous cases, have tried over 150 criminal jury trials, including not guilty verdicts in Federal and State Courts. 

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in political science from The George Washington University in 1990, he went on to attend the Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University and was awarded his Juris Doctor in 1993. Before opening his own firm in 1999, Mr. Gottlieb gained invaluable criminal defense experience while working for years as an assistant public defender in Broward County. He has defended thousands of people over his years of practice and has litigated more than 100 jury cases to verdict.

Highly regarded by his fellow professionals, Mr. Gottlieb has received an AV Preeminent* peer review rating through Martindale-Hubbell and a 10.0 "Superb" peer review rating through Avvo. In 2007, he was named as the most effective lawyer by the Daily Business Review. In 2025, MR. Gottlieb received the Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Harry Gulkin Award. This prestigious local award, honors a member of the Florida Bar who embodies integrity, gentility, and is a lawyer of the highest quality.

Admitted to practice in Florida, Mr. Gottlieb is also admitted to practice law before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. He is an active participant in a variety of legal organizations, including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Inc. In addition, Mr. Gottlieb served two terms as the president of the Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.