“Preparation is absolutely key; confidence and clarity in presenting your case can make all the difference in high-stakes legal moments.”
-Michael Vater
Michael, your litigation experience spans various states and countries. How did a Florida-based lawyer end up influencing international consumer law?
Sure! The case involved passenger rights for a plane passenger whose flight was cancelled due to a pilot’s strike. In Europe, consumers are provided monetary compensation for flight cancellations and delays within the airline’s control. This was one of the first cases involving a cancellation due to a pilot’s strike. The airline’s position was that the pilot’s strike was beyond the airline’s control, so this would be a no-compensation situation for the passenger. I ended up challenging the decision of the airline, which went before the European Court of Justice. The Court sided with me and deemed that the passenger was entitled to compensation for the flight cancellation.
What lessons have you learned from the appellate bench, and how do you prepare for such high-stakes moments?
Preparation is absolutely key. I’ve learned that it is necessary to maintain a level of confidence even when facing a panel of three judges, any of whom can fire off a question. I’ve also learned how to be concise, as the amount of time for oral argument is quite limited—usually 10 to 20 minutes per side—and there is so much information I want to make sure the judges are aware of in the case.
What’s the secret to building a winning workplace culture in the high-pressure world of law?
The secret is that the people truly make a difference in having a stellar company. There is quite a rigorous process for hiring at The Ticktin Law Group, and each of our new team members is able to demonstrate throughout that process the important qualities to blend right in with the other team members.
What’s your approach to adapting legal strategies across jurisdictions?
I do a lot of homework by researching nuances between the jurisdictions and seeing how to best tailor an argument. Fortunately, I will often get to court early, so I can observe how the court handles the prior hearing to provide some guidance on key arguments that seem to be making an impression on the court.
You’ve been featured in several outlets. What do these diverse features reflect about your approach to both law and leadership?
I am a lawyer, but I am also a business leader. I wear multiple hats at the firm. This allows me to provide perspective from opposing viewpoints and benefit my clients by understanding the situations they face through a different lens than just being a lawyer.
How has travel shaped your worldview—and your legal work?
Traveling provides a firsthand impression of different cultures, locations, and backgrounds. This allows me to realize how vast and large the world truly is. It also allows me to learn, as a leader, how political leaders or leaders of countries have navigated through challenging situations in the past. I also appreciate the opportunity to unwind from the rigors of the career and experience the incredible world we live in.
How do you integrate your passion for history, politics, and sports into the way you manage cases or inspire your legal team?
This is a great question! In many ways, our law firm is like a professional sports team. We have players who implement the strategy of the manager/general manager. We also have others who assist the players in making sure the goals are met, such as trainers and nutritionists. If you look at our firm, I’m the manager/general manager. All our associate attorneys are the players, and the support staff are the trainers and nutritionists. All of us work together for a common goal—success on behalf of our clients.
You’ve litigated in diverse states. Have you noticed regional differences in court culture, and how do you prepare your team for them?
I do notice that each state has different nuances in how the court expects the argument to proceed. There are also state-specific rules of procedure that guide the lawyer’s experience. Even more so, there are customs in some states that vary when presenting to the court. Some courts are much more technology-friendly; others are more traditional.
What advice would you offer to young litigators trying to distinguish themselves in today’s competitive legal landscape?
The most important thing for young lawyers is to recognize that there is so much to learn in law. One has to be willing to learn and work hard to build their skill set. I also recommend finding a mentor who can help the young lawyer become great. I caution lawyers about becoming too specialized too early in their careers.
What’s next for you and The Ticktin Law Group? Any big cases, expansion plans, or personal goals on the horizon (legal or otherwise)?
I have many exciting cases on the horizon. I plan on continuing to grow The Ticktin Law Group, especially with our personal injury and business litigation matters. Personally, I plan to continue traveling and one day visit 100 countries.
If you were to write your bio in your own words, what would you say?
I’m Michael Vater, Esq., Managing Partner of The Ticktin Law Group, a U.S. News-Certified “Best Company to Work For.” Since joining in 2010, I’ve led over 1,600 cases in entertainment, personal injury, and real estate litigation, among others—trying more than 100 jury and non-jury trials, including multimillion-dollar verdicts, and resolving countless others through aggressive litigation and mediation strategy.
I’ve successfully argued complex cases across more than 20 Florida counties and multiple U.S. states including California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, as well as internationally in Iceland, where I helped set EU legal precedent in aviation consumer rights. I’ve conducted oral arguments in four of Florida’s appellate courts and have appeared before judges in over 25 Florida counties. I’m admitted to all three U.S. District Courts in Florida and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, and have been admitted pro hac vice in multiple states.
I’m honored to be recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, an award reserved for just 2.5% of Florida attorneys, and have been featured by Medium, ValiantCEO, Savoir Faire, CanvasRebel, Florida Record, and others. I’ve also appeared on legal and business podcasts including BE THAT LAWYER and Legacy Leaders.
I earned my J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Florida, completing international law coursework in France, and hold a B.A. in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame with a minor in Peace Studies.
Outside the courtroom, I’m a passionate traveler and sports fan. I’ve visited all 50 U.S. states, all 50 state capitals, all 13 Presidential libraries, 57 National Parks, and 63 different countries. I’ve attended sporting events at every MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL stadium, and at all of the major college campuses that make up the Power 4 Conferences in collegiate athletics.
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“My goal is to keep empowering clients to navigate complex legal landscapes with confidence and to build lasting success beyond any single case.”
-Michael Vater
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