Michelle R. Suskauer
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in West Palm Beach, Florida
The Suskauer Law Firm P.A.
Practice areas: Criminal Defense; view more
Licensed in Florida since: 1991
Education: American University Washington College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2007, 2009 - 2026 Call today:
561-954-3494
Free Consultation The Suskauer Law Firm P.A.
515 N. Flagler DriveSuite 350
West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Visit website
Michelle R. Suskauer stands as a formidable force in the realm of criminal defense law, steering The Suskauer Law Firm P.A. with unwavering dedication in West Palm Beach, Florida. Known for her heartfelt commitment and vast experience, she is celebrated for her work in Palm Beach County's courtrooms. Her practice encompasses a wide array of criminal defense areas, including:
- Domestic violence
- DUI offenses
- Juvenile offenses
- Narcotics offenses
- Sexual offenses
- Violent offenses
- White collar crimes
- Federal offenses
Ms. Suskauer's reputation is stellar among judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and her colleagues, recognized for her inventive approaches to complex legal challenges and her fervent advocacy for clients. She is devoted to ensuring her clients receive the necessary support to improve their situations.
A Boston University alumna from 1988, Ms. Suskauer earned her Juris Doctor from the American University Washington College of Law in 1991. She embarked on her legal journey as an assistant public defender in West Palm Beach and has been practicing criminal law in state and federal courts since 1991. Her impressive track record includes securing acquittals, dismissals and charge reductions, helping clients avoid recidivism.
In the legal community, Ms. Suskauer shines as a trailblazer, she is a past president of The Florida Bar, only the sixth woman to serve in this prestigious position. Shealso served as the president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL). Her leadership extends to the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar for the 15th Judicial Circuit, chairing numerous committees.
Ms. Suskauer is also the vice chairperson of the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission and the immediate past president of the Legal Aid Society Palm Beach County Board of Directors. Her accolades include recognition as one of Florida Trend magazine’s 500 Most Influential Business Leaders and the Daily Business Review's Top 10 Women in Law, and as the Women Lawyer of the Year by the South Palm Beach County FAWL.
In addition, Ms. Suskauer has appeared on various news outlets, including CNN, Fox News and others, where she has offered in-depth legal commentary on a variety of topics. Honored for her impeccable professionalism, she has earned an AV Preeminent peer-review rating* through Martindale-Hubbell, along with a Top 100 Trial Lawyers listing by the National Trial Lawyers. She also holds a Legal Elite designation from Florida Trend magazine and a “10.0” rating on Avvo, and Palm Beach Illustrated has voted her among the Top Lawyers in her region.
*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 Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Criminal DefenseFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Debt, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Failure to Pay Child Support, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Overdrawn Bank Account, Parole, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations
- 100% Criminal Defense
First Admitted: 1991, Florida
Professional Webpage: https://michellesuskauer.com/michelle-r-suskauer-attorney-at...
Bar / Professional Activity
- Vice Chairperson Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission, 2025
- Palm Beach County Bar Association, Past Chair Criminal Practice Committee
- Palm Beach County Bar Association, Past Chair Bench Bar Committee
- Palm Beach County Bar Association, Member, 1991-Present
- Palm Beach County Bar Association, President (2009-2010)
- Craig S. Barnard American Inns of Court, Past Programming Chair
- Craig S. Barnard American Inns of Court, Executive Committee
- Craig S. Barnard American Inns of Court, Emeritus Member
- Palm Beach Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Past Board Member
- American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section Spring Meeting, Steering Committee
- American Bar Association, Florida Delegate, ABA House of Delegates 2017-present
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- President, The Florida Bar, 2018
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- Supreme Court of the State of Florida
- United States Supreme Court
- President-elect, The Florida Bar, 2017
- President, Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Chairperson, Florida Bar Annual Convention, 2013
- Past Chair Criminal Practice Committee, Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Criminal Law Certification Committee, 2002 - 2006
- President, Florida Association for Women Lawyers, 2002 - 2003
- Past Chair of Judicial Relations Committee, Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Board of Governors 15th Judicial Circuit, The Florida Bar, 2010 - Present
- Past Board Member, Palm Beach County Chapter, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Past Chair, Bench Bar Conference, Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Past Chair of Programming, American Inns of Court
Pro bono / Community Service
- President Board of Directors Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
- Co-Chair, Pro Bono Recognition Event, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, 2007 - 2008
- Created Adopt-a-Case Program
- President, Board of Directors, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
- Created Breakfast and Books mentoring program
- Board of Directors, Bak Middle School of the Arts Foundation, 2009
Honors
- 2016 Woman of Grace Award
- 2017 Woman of the Year, South Palm Beach County Women Lawyers Association
- 2017 Excellence in Leadership in Law, SABA Florida
- 2018 “FastCase 50” Honoree
- 2018 Woman Lawyer of the Year, South Palm Beach County FAWL
- 2018 Mattie Belle Davis Award, Miami-Dade FAWL
- 2018 Florida 500 Most Influential Business Leaders, Florida Trend
- 2018 Palm Beach Jurisprudence Award, ADL
- Martindale Hubbell – AV Rating
- 2019 Take a Walk in Her Shoes Honoree, The Chapman Partnership
- 2019 Extra Miles Award, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- 2019 President’s Award, Florida Public Defender Association
- 2019 Honoree Chapman Partnership’s 10th Annual Take A Walk in Her Shoes
- The Daily Business Review 2017 Top 10 Women in Law
- Character Counts Award, School District, Palm Beach County
- Women in Power Award, National Conference of Jewish Women
- Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
- Florida Super Lawyers
- Florida Trend Notable Managing Partners
- Notable Women Leaders in the Law, Florida Trend, 2023
- The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County honored the Palm Beach County Chapter of FAWL during Michelle's presidency with a Pro Bono Award for both the Adopt-A-Case and Breakfast and Books program
- Florida Trend Magazine's Legal Elite
- Top 10 Women in the Law, Daily Business Review, 2017
- Daily Business Review Top 10 Women in Law, "Serving Justice" Award, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, 2017
Educational Background
- Boston University, B.S. in Communications
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Guest Lecturer, Department of Juvenile Justice
- Guest Lecturer, Palm Beach County School District
- Guest Lecturer, Florida Atlantic University
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Notable Women Leaders in the Law, 2023
- Legal
Office location for Michelle R. Suskauer
515 N. Flagler Drive
Suite 350
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 561-954-3494
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2007, 2009 - 2026
