Michael A. Winkleman is an active trial and appellate attorney at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. Mr. Winkleman has been featured on dozens of national television segments due to his expertise in maritime and cruise ship law related matters. This includes appearances on the Today Show, 20/20, Inside Edition, Fox News and many more. Mr. Winkleman has also won several awards including ‘Top 20 under 40 Professional’ by Brickell Magazine, “Superlawyer” for numerous years, and one of the Top Attorneys Under 40 selected by Florida Trend Magazine.
Michael Winkleman
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019 Awarded Practice Areas
Admiralty and Maritime Law Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Biography
Locations
Education
- University of St. Thomas School of Law, JD, graduated 2006
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
- 11th Circuit
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Affiliations
- American Bar Association - Member
- Appellate Committee of the Florida Justice Association - Member
- Dade County Bar Association - Member
- Florida Admiralty Trial Lawyers Association - Member
- Miami Dade Justice Association - Member
- Southeastern Admiralty Lawyers Institute - Member
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Admiralty and Maritime Law
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Personal Injury Litigation
- Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
Special Focus:
- Cruise Ship Accident and Sexual Assault
Awards:
- 'Top 20 under 40 Professional’ by Brickell Magazine.
- Superlawyer
- One of the Top Attorneys Under 40 Selected by Florida Trend Magazine
News & Media
Insights
Unwelcome Guests
by Michael Winkleman
Evidence indicates that, like cruise ships, hotels are home to a “hidden epidemic” of rape, sexual assault and other crimes. Much more needs to be done to combat this scourge.
Additional Information
- Appelate Victories
In addition to his work at trial, Mr. Winkleman has handled appeals involving significant issues in maritime and personal injury law. His appellate matters include the following:
- KT v. Royal Caribbean Cruises: Appellate decision addressing a cruise line’s duty to warn passengers about the risk of sexual assaults and rapes aboard its vessels.
- Atlantic Sounding v. Townsend: Participated through an Amicus Curiae brief in this U.S. Supreme Court case, which held that maritime workers denied maintenance and cure may seek punitive damages under general maritime law.
- Multiple favorable outcomes before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
- Multiple favorable outcomes before Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal.
- Trial Victories
Michael Winkleman has represented clients in a variety of maritime and personal injury trials and arbitrations, including the following results:
- $3.6 million verdict against Carnival Corporation on behalf of the family of a deceased Italian crew member.
- $2.36 million verdict against Maersk Lines on behalf of an injured crew member.
- $3,342,440 award to a Honduran seaman who was denied adequate medical care after injuring his left foot aboard a cargo vessel.
- $4.4 million verdict in a third-party longshoreman personal injury claim.
- $970,230 verdict plus lifetime medical care against Royal Caribbean Cruises on behalf of an injured crew member.
- $828,524 verdict in a South Florida jet ski accident case involving extensive injuries sustained by a passenger who was permitted to operate a personal watercraft without prior experience or instruction.
- $658,983 verdict against Carnival Corporation for a cruise ship passenger injured at the ship’s water park.
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