Mike Underwood was a key official at the predecessor of the Florida Department of Financial Services and authored many provisions of Florida’s securities and banking laws. Since leaving government, he has become recognized as a national leader in financial services regulation, especially in Florida.  He represents securities broker-dealers, investment advisers, financial institutions and affiliated individuals in civil litigation, arbitration, regulatory investigations and enforcement actions. His experience includes defense of class actions, multi-district litigation and regular appearances before self-regulatory organizations as well as state and federal financial regulators.  Mike's primary focus is assisting firm clients with state and federal securities, banking and insurance regulatory matters.  He is an officer of the American Bar Association Committee on State Regulation of Securities and Chair of its Subcommittee on Enforcement.  He has been published often on financial services regulation and lectures frequently on these topics.

Representative Experience

Presentations

• "Managing Parallel Proceedings in Securities Investigations," American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Spring Meeting, 2006

Publications

• "Florida Tightens Laws on Suitability of Annuity Sales to Seniors" Author, May, 2008
• "New Florida Insurance Agency Law Give Financial Services Industry Fits," Co-Authored with Joseph M. Thompson, Insurance Finance and Investment, February 2007
• "The Regulatory Landscape for Florida's Securities Industry," Author,  Florida Securities Dealers Association Yearbook, December 2006
• "New Branch Office Licensing Plan Poses Special Risks for Broker-Dealers in Florida," Author, Blue Sky Bugle, September 2006
• "Florida Adopts New Benefit Plan Exemption," Author, Blue Sky Bugle, November 2001