Mike Bedke represents clients in all aspects of real estate and commercial financing work. He has significant domestic and cross-border experience with transactions involving public-private partnerships and infrastructure projects. His experience includes rail, ports, airports, marinas, toll roads, renewable energy, university housing and research facility related matters as well as stadium, ballpark and arena projects. His clients include institutional lenders, investors, national developers, and companies in the hospitality, transportation and technology sectors.
Mike is recognized nationally as a leader in the area of sustainability and the "triple bottom line." He has been at the forefront of the ESG area through his advocacy of rail projects, transportation-oriented development, his work on inland port projects, his lecturing on green leases and the WELL building standard and in his prior role as general counsel to Earth Charter US.
RECOGNITIONS
Recognized as a 2020 Professional Excellence Award Honoree by the Daily Business Review for the Social Impact award.
Chambers USA, published by the respected English research firm Chambers & Partners, has repeatedly recognized Mike for his real estate work. He has been "identified as a 'very high-level strategic thinker.' Clients value his negotiation skills, and 'calm and sophisticated' navigation of deals, in addition to his 'great business acumen' and 'wise counsel.'" He has a "pragmatic and business-oriented approach," and clients have said "he is professional, knowledgeable and courteous, prompt and extremely helpful." Mike is "a great strategic thinker who is great at marshaling resources, extremely well connected, personable and one of the best business development people I've met," stated one client.
In 2019, Chambers USA wrote that "Michael Bedke draws praise from clients for his 'friendly and approachable style, and they further note that 'he is very confident in negotiations and has done a tremendous job.’ He has significant expertise in connection with the acquisition, construction and development of high-value assets."
Mike is also named in The Best Lawyers in America and Marquis Who's Who. He has been listed as a Florida Super Lawyer and one of the Florida Legal Elite. The National Law Journal recognized him in its exclusive "40 Under Forty" listing of lawyers and The Business Journal also named him to its list of "40 Under Forty" outstanding business talents. Mike has been rated AV® by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, the highest rating attainable.
He was awarded the John Arthur Jones Annual Service Award by the Florida Bar Association's Real Property, Probate and Trust Law (RPPTL) Section twice for his dedicated and significant outstanding service to the Section and its varied programs. The RPPTL Section is the largest Section of the Florida Bar, with more than 11,000 members.
Mike has also received numerous recognitions for his pro bono and volunteer work. He received the 2019 Medal of Honor Award from The Florida Bar Foundation. He is the recipient of the Florida Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, the Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Award, the Jimmy Kynes Pro Bono Award and the State of Florida Governor's Summer Leadership Program "Local Hero" Award. In 2004, Mike was recognized by Florida Governor Jeb Bush and State Attorney General Charlie Crist as the Florida Victim Advocate of the Year, and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a proclamation praising Mike. He was the first recipient of DLA Piper's Pro Bono Partner of the Year award. Mike also is the recipient of Stetson College of Law's Wm. Reece Smith Award for his pro bono work.