Professional Experience:

Michael J. Schofield is an experienced civil trial attorney. In addition to aviation, he has experience in products liability, construction, commercial, insurance coverage disputes, and general liability. He is a Certified Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator in Florida, and Mediator and Arbitrator in Alabama. Mike also serves on the Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association’s National Roster of Arbitrators, and as an arbitrator and neutral in other ADR matters. Mike is also a Certified Property Insurance Umpire (IAUA), and an approved continuing education instructor for subjects related to insurance claims, including property & casualty, industrial fire, adjuster ethics, adjuster law, health law, general lines and premium discounts/mitigation options.

Mike is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit and Fifth Circuit Courts, all U.S. District Courts in the State of Florida, and all U.S. District Courts in the State of Alabama.

Mike earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1980 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law in 1983 with appellate advocacy honors. Mike also holds a Master’s degree in Theology (Apologetics) from Luther Rice University and Seminary.

Mike is distinguished by being the only Florida Board Certified Specialist in Aviation Law in the entire Florida Panhandle. Mike is a certified flight instructor and instrument rated commercial pilot, and flies multi-engine and single-engine aircraft, with over 1000 hours of pilot time.

Michael J. Schofield is licensed to practice in Florida and Alabama.

*Videoconferencing is available for mediations without the necessity of live appearances for any or all parties. Please contact us to arrange a video mediation.*

• Florida Board Certified Specialist – Aviation Law
• AV rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
• AVVO Rating, Superb

• Aviation Insurance Association
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), panel counsel
• Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution (Alabama Bar Association)
• Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
• Alabama Trial Lawyers Association
• American Arbitration Association (AAA)
• Defense Research Institute
• Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition, Board President, 2018-2019
• Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association
• Florida Academy of Professional Mediators, Inc.
• Florida Circuit-Civil Mediator Society (FloridaMediators.org)
• Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 1998-2003; 2018-present
• Florida Dispute Resolution Center (DRC)
• Florida Law Alliance
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• International Air & Transportation Safety Bar Association
• Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association
• National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, charter member
• National Business Aviation Association NBAA
• The Florida Bar, Aviation Law Committee
• Windstorm Insurance Network, Certified Umpire