Atty. Michael Steven Popok

Atty. Michael Steven Popok

Michael S. Popok is the Managing Partner of Zumpano Patricios & Popok, the New York Office of the firm.

Coral Gables Coral Gables 34 yrs experience 34 year
Call (305) 874-7648 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Michael Steven Popok at a glance

Michael Steven Popok is a Managing Partner based in Coral Gables, Florida, practicing at Zumpano Patricios P A. They have 34+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1992. Their practice focuses on criminal defense, business, real estate, zoning, and white collar. Admitted to practice in New York (1992), U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (1992), U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (1992), and Florida (1995). Educated at Duke University School of Law (J.D., 1991) and New York University (B.A., 1988). Recognitions include Peer Reviewed. Active member of The Florida Bar. Serands clients in Coral Gables, FL and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Michael S. Popok is the Managing Partner of Zumpano Patricios & Popok, the New York Office of the firm
  • His national litigation, white collar and trial practice is based in New York and South Florida
  • Michael has almost 30 years of experience as an accomplished trial attorney strategist, and business counselor, with a broad range of experience including most recently serving as a Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of a Wall Street global financial services firm, responsible for all of its litigation, trial, arbitration, investigatory and employment matters
  • PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Demonstrating the breadth of Mr. Popok’s trial experience, he has successfully tried more than 40 cases to verdict, judgment or award throughout the country —a feat very few trial lawyers in Miami or New York have accomplished
  • His trial and appellate practice has taken him to courts and arbitration hearing rooms throughout the country, including in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Northern California, Delaware, and Miami
  • His success record in FINRA arbitration matters in the last 5 years alone is remarkable
  • Further demonstrating that his counseling and risk assessment skills go beyond the courtroom and boardroom, he has also successfully negotiated settlements in 100s of cases to accomplish his client’s business objectives
  • Mr. Popok began his career and litigation and white collar defense training at Skadden Arps and Sidley Austin in New York, and be continued his trial practice in South Florida where until 2015, he was a name partner at a well-known South Florida-based, 65+ attorney firm
  • During his career there, Michael managed the firm’s Miami office
  • chaired its litigation department, and served on its executive committee, and was one of the “go-to” litigators handling high-profile matters for the firm’s public sector/municipal and private sector clients
  • CURRENT NEW YORK OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS Representing Agricultural products company against private equity fund for breach of contract and fiduciary duty in New York State Supreme Court
  • Representing co-founder of a Las Vegas gaming business in a Delaware case regarding deprivation of [shareholder] rights
  • Representing company in a sports venue joint venture with FC Barcelona against landlord for breach of long term ground lease in New York State Supreme Court
  • Representing former head of equities for major financial services company for wrongful termination in FINRA arbitration
  • Representing former head of trading for hedge fund in employment discrimination and separation issues
  • Represented former hedge fund head of IT in employment separation matter
  • Representing co-head of equities for major financial services company re: SEC and compliance issues
  • Representing former head of marketing and branding in pregnancy discrimination case against private equity firm
  • Represented major jewelry retailer re website ADA compliance issues in southern district Florida
  • Representing developer in real estate dispute pending in Miami Dade Circuit Court
  • Representing former talent agent and #metoo plaintiff against Hollywood agency for sexual discrimination, harassment and assault in California Superior Court
  • Representing celebrity – former band member and actor - in sexual harassment and assault case against former talent manager and agents in California Superior Court
  • LITIGATION, ARBITRATION (INCLUDING FINRA) AND TRIAL WORK Mr. Popok focuses his national trial practice in the areas of high-stakes commercial/business dispute litigation (including those involving family offices and partnerships, real estate, construction, and private equity and hedge funds)
  • class action matters
  • health care litigation, business tort disputes, employment litigation and counseling (including discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and restrictive covenants)
  • financial services litigation and arbitration (including in FINRA)
  • real estate/construction litigation (including commission disputes)
  • and “white collar” regulatory, enforcement and investigations
  • He has been regularly chosen by his peers as a Best Lawyer and Super Lawyer in the areas of litigation
  • OUTSIDE GENERAL COUNSEL SERVICES Mr. Popok, relying on his experience as former in-house counsel, offers outside general counsel services, including litigation risk management, for companies without an in-house legal team, or in transition, including those in restructuring or in a start-up phase
  • In that role, he not only seamlessly serves as the real-time, as needed, law department for the company, but also proactively manage the company’s risk, and function as a key business advisor and tactician
  • His body of work allows him to provide guidance concerning corporate governance, compliance, transactions, regulatory issues, investigations, labor and employment issues, and litigation
  • LOCAL COUNSEL SERVICES FOR NEW YORK FIRMS LITIGATING OR ARBITRATING IN SOUTH FLORIDA Mr. Popok has a unique skill set that makes him a nice fit for New York firms looking for experienced, connected and successful local trial counsel in South Florida
  • Having been a leader in the South Florida legal community before “going in house”, Michael continues to have deep roots in South Florida and is a respected addition to any litigation team that finds itself in the State or Federal courts of South Florida

Practice Areas Explained

Michael Steven Popok's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael Steven Popok handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Michael Steven Popok is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Florida →

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Michael Steven Popok is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Florida →

Real Estate Law

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

Michael Steven Popok is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Florida →

Land Use & Zoning

Michael Steven Popok is one of 40,226 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Florida →

White Collar Crimes

Michael Steven Popok is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in Florida →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Florida

Practicing law in Florida. Legal matters in Florida are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Coral Gables are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Florida state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Florida brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Florida courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Florida attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Coral Gables or all attorneys in Florida.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Michael Steven Popok

Where is Michael Steven Popok's law office located?
Michael Steven Popok's law practice is located in Coral Gables, Florida. The firm is Zumpano Patricios P A. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Michael Steven Popok handle?
Michael Steven Popok focuses on criminal defense, business, real estate, zoning, white collar. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Florida.
How long has Michael Steven Popok practiced law?
Michael Steven Popok has 34+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1992.
Where did Michael Steven Popok go to law school?
Michael Steven Popok earned their education at (J.D., 1991); (B.A., 1988).
How can I contact Michael Steven Popok for a consultation?
You can contact Michael Steven Popok directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Michael Steven Popok received?
Michael Steven Popok's notable recognition includes: Peer Reviewed.

Education

J.D.
Duke University School of Law
- 1991
B.A.
New York University
- 1988

Awards

Peer Reviewed

Bar Admissions

New York
Admitted: 1992
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Admitted: 1992
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Admitted: 1992
Florida
Admitted: 1995
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
Admitted: 1996
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Admitted: 2001

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