Michael R. Bakst

Bio

Michael R. Bakst is a member of Lippes Mathias’ Financial Reorganization, Restructuring & Insolvency Practice Team, where he represents creditors, bankruptcy trustees, and receivers, as well as litigants within complex bankruptcy matters, commercial litigation, receiverships, and assignments for the benefit of creditors.

Mr. Bakst currently serves as a panel United States Bankruptcy Trustee for the Southern District of Florida and previously served as an Examiner appointed through the offices of the United States Trustee. He is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs for bankruptcy and commercial litigation practitioners, as well as for trustees in bankruptcy on a regional level.

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

Florida
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida Trial Bar

Education

University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 1990
University of Miami, B.A., 1987

Professional Associations

Bankruptcy Bar Association of the Southern District of Florida, Past Director
Access & Engagement Committee, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
Palm Beach County Bar Association

Community Involvement

American Bankruptcy Institute, Annual Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar Advisory Board Member, 2024-2026
City of West Palm Beach Downtown Action Committee, Member, 2023-2026
City of West Palm Beach Planning Board, Planning Board, 2015-2018
City of West Palm Beach Zoning Board of Appeals, Chairperson, 2000-2015
Southern District of Florida, Standing Local Rules Advisory Committee, Appointee Member, 2003- 2004

Honors & Awards

The Boca Raton Observer, Top Lawyers, 2025
Florida Super Lawyers®, Bankruptcy: Business, 2012-2025
Palm Beach Illustrated, Top Lawyers, 2019, 2021, 2024

Speaking Engagements

“AI Without the Angst: Practical Tools for Bankruptcy Professionals,” Facilitator, ABI Alexander L. Paskay Bankruptcy Seminar, February 26, 2026
“Trustees Come in All Shapes and Sizes,” Panelist, American Bankruptcy Institute Seminar, February 27, 2025
“Trustee’s Avoidance Powers,” Panelist, Region21 Trustee Association Webinar, May 2, 2019
“Bankruptcy Litigation: Tips, Tricks and Best Practices,” Panelist, Bankruptcy Bar Association Southern District of Florida, April 24, 2019
“View of Bankruptcy Practice: The interaction between bankruptcy and state court practice,” Speaker, Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Law CLE Committee, December 8, 2017
“Bankruptcy: A View from the Bench,” Panelist, Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Bench Bar Conference, March 10, 2017

Bio

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