FLORIDA SUPREME COURT CERTIFIED
CIRCUIT & APPELLATE COURT MEDIATOR
Complex civil, appellate & commercial mediation
From Tampa, Michael E. Reed helps parties resolve complex civil, wrongful death, serious personal injury, commercial, insurance, and professional liability matters across Florida.
Real-Time
Calendar
To reserve a mediation session, select a time from the real-time calendar below. The interactive Appointment Request form will collect contact details and case information. Once submitted, we’ll follow up promptly with confirmation and any required documents.
Email notifications and calendar reminders will keep all participants informed and prepared.
Published
Fee Schedule
To ensure a smooth process for all parties, mediation fees and policies are transparently outlined below.
RETENTION OF SERVICES AS A MEDIATOR
2–3 Parties: $275 per party, per hour
4 Parties: $225 per party, per hour
5+ Parties: $200 per party, per hour
A “party” is defined as all parties represented by the same counsel. Mediation services include time spent at the mediation conference, preparation, phone or in-person conferences, and related reporting assistance.
Minimum Fees
Half Day (4 hours or less): 3 hours minimum
Full Day (over 4 hours): 6 hours minimum
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations or rescheduling must be received via email prior to the date/time noted in the confirmation email for that session. Otherwise, the minimum fee applies.
Billing & Payment
Invoices are issued promptly after the mediation and due upon receipt. Unless agreed otherwise, each party is billed separately. Mediation services are retained by counsel, who are responsible for timely payment. Payment instructions are provided on the invoice.
Virtual & In-Person Options
Virtual mediations conducted via Zoom with secure coordination and links.
In-person sessions available upon request; out-of-pocket travel costs are shared equally by parties.
Supporting Materials
Resources
How do I reserve a mediation date with Mike?
Scheduling is handled directly through Mike’s online calendar. Availability is always current, and a confirmation email is sent immediately upon booking.
Does Mike offer both virtual and in-person mediations?
Yes. Most sessions are conducted via Zoom with secure breakout rooms, but in-person mediations are also available. Travel terms, if applicable, are outlined in the Fee Schedule.
What materials should counsel provide in advance?
Short, focused mediation briefs are welcome (though not required unless requested). Helpful information includes case posture, key issues, settlement history, lien or coverage considerations, and any pivotal orders or exhibits. Submissions at least 48 hours in advance are appreciated.
Who should attend the mediation?
Decision-makers with full settlement authority should participate (or be readily available), including insurers or client representatives where appropriate.
How are mediation logistics and Zoom links shared?
The confirmation email will include session details, secure Zoom links, and joining instructions that can be shared with clients. Tech checks can be arranged in advance if needed.
What is Mike’s policy on fees and cancellations?
Current rates, billing terms, and cancellation requirements are detailed in the Fee Schedule. Written notice is required prior to the date and time noted in the confirmation email to avoid the minimum fee.
Neutral Perspective
Mike Reed’s Experience
Michael Reed is a civil litigator and former managing partner with more than 30 years of courtroom experience and a decade as an insurance adjuster, now bringing his depth of knowledge to the practice of mediation.
Over the course of his career, Mike has conducted numerous civil trials in both state and federal courts, primarily handling matters involving complex litigation, products liability, bad faith, commercial casualty, serious personal injury, and medical and legal malpractice. As Managing Partner of Wicker Smith’s Tampa office, he frequently led teams in high-stakes cases, where he developed a reputation for careful preparation, steady leadership and very successful results.
Before beginning his legal career, he spent ten years as an insurance adjuster, giving him valuable insight into claims handling, evaluation, and resolution. This progression, from adjuster to trial lawyer, enables him to both understand and appreciate the concerns of attorneys, clients, and insurers alike when navigating complicated disputes.
Mediation Style & Philosophy
Mike approaches mediation with thorough preparation and a solutions-oriented mindset. Mike is patient, and he knows every case is unique, and must be evaluated based on its own strengths and weaknesses. He also knows every litigant is unique, and should be given the time they need to reach a successful resolution of their case.
His background as both a trial lawyer and insurance professional allows him to evaluate matters from multiple perspectives, helping parties identify common ground while keeping negotiations on track. Attorneys value his practical analysis and measured communication style, which promotes constructive dialogue and encourages resolution without unnecessary delay.
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1992
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1992
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 2003
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, 2007
Professional Affiliations
- The Florida Bar
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Orange County Bar Association
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
- AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Education
- J.D., Oklahoma City University School of Law
- Law Review
- Phi Delta Phi Honor Society
- Moot Court Board
- John Marshall National Moot Court Competition
- Order of the Barristers
- M.B.A., Abilene Christian (Amber) University, 1985
- B.S., University of Central Oklahoma, Political Science, 1979
Community/Leadership
- Former Managing Partner, Wicker Smith (Tampa office)
- Frequent CEU/CLE speaker and lecturer for legal and insurance audiences
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Reed Resolutions, LLC — Tampa, Florida
Full-time mediation practice serving Florida in both Zoom and in-person formats. Handles matters ranging from straightforward two-party cases to complex multi-party disputes, including catastrophic injury and wrongful death.
Wicker Smith — Tampa & Orlando, Florida (1992–2025)
Civil trial practice in state and federal courts covering complex commercial litigation, products liability, bad faith, commercial casualty, and medical malpractice. Served as Managing Partner of the Tampa office beginning in 2006, leading teams on high-stakes matters and coordinating strategy with insurers, corporate clients, and outside experts.
Nobel Insurance Services — Dallas, Texas (1986–1989)
National claim supervisor overseeing catastrophic losses, including construction blasting incidents and natural-gas explosion claims. Responsibilities included field investigation, coverage analysis, reserve setting, negotiation, and resolution planning with counsel and technical consultants.
Insurance Adjuster — Dallas, Texas (1979–1986)
Licensed all-lines adjuster working across the southern United States on general liability, premises liability, auto, workers’ compensation, construction, property, and coverage matters. Built practical, ground-level experience in claims evaluation, risk assessment, and settlement dynamics that informs today’s mediation work.
Seasoned Expertise
Practice Areas
With 40+ years of legal and insurance experience, Michael Reed mediates civil and commercial disputes with focused preparation and practical analysis. Representative matters include serious personal injury, wrongful death, complex multiparty disputes, general and auto liability, contract and property disputes, products liability, premises liability, transportation, insurance coverage, bad faith, and professional liability involving allegations of hospital, physician and attorney malpractice.
Complex Litigation
Based on three decades of litigation experience, Mike was frequently called upon to be the lead trial lawyer in cases with catastrophic damages, often involving multiple wrongful death claims, and often involving claims of punitive damages. This valuable real-world experience enables Mike to approach mediating such claims with a solid understanding of what is needed to steer such cases to a successful resolution.
Medical Law
Mike has represented hospitals and insurance carriers in numerous matters involving medical malpractice. His extensive experience working with both healthcare providers and insurers allows him to facilitate resolution in even the most complex medical disputes.
Professional Liability
Mike mediates all types of professional liability cases. Drawing on decades of defending licensed professionals — including physicians, lawyers, architects, engineers, and accountants — he helps guide parties to practical, efficient settlements.
Insurance
Mike’s background in insurance is both practical and extensive. His decade of experience as an adjuster gave him a close understanding of how coverage questions, claims handling, and risk evaluation play out in real time. Later, as a trial lawyer, he litigated cases involving coverage disputes, bad faith, and casualty claims in state and federal courts. This progression from claims professional to litigator provides him with an uncommon ability to appreciate both the technical issues and the business considerations at stake when insurance disputes are involved.
Commercial Litigation
With three decades of experience litigating commercial disputes in state and federal courts, and ten years as an insurance adjuster, Mike is well-positioned to help resolve contract disagreements and a wide variety of business-related matters.
Additional Areas of Focus
- Healthcare claims
- Premises disputes
- Defamation
- Appellate
- Hospitality
- Retail
- Products Liability
- Homeowners & Condominium Associations
- Americans with Disabilities claims
Maintenance of Traffic disputes - Building & Road Construction
- General Contractor – Subcontractor disputes