For over 15 years, Michael practiced law for a leading South Florida law firm representing insurance companies against residential property claims by homeowners. A significant portion of Michael’s practice also involved being retained by insurance companies to represent construction companies and building owners with a focus on complex commercial property claims involving churches, hospitals, businesses, apartments, condominiums, and homeowners’ associations. His level of experience and success in these areas positions him perfectly to represent homeowners and policyholders who experience wind damage, sinkhole damage, and other major damage yet face opposition from the insurer or builder when they submit a claim.

Before embarking on his legal career, Michael served in the U.S. Air Force as a member of the 55th Special Operations Squadron. In addition to his military career, he has extensive experience in the retail sales, automotive, and banking industries, giving him the kind of first-hand, practical understanding of business operations that make him an excellent choice to represent business owners with first-party insurance claims or other business and contractual issues, including commercial litigation exposure.

Michael’s objective is always to obtain the most favorable resolution of his client’s case quickly and efficiently, minimizing the costs of protracted litigation. Sometimes this means early settlement, while other times a winning resolution requires a courtroom battle. In either case, Michael’s experience and his proactive approach to client communication allow him to craft the right strategy for each case. He regularly tries jury and bench trials in federal and Florida state trial courts and also advocates for his clients in arbitration as required.

Michael’s experience and success have earned him an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the prominent legal directory’s highest rating for attorneys. He is also frequently invited to speak at seminars relating to his practice areas.

You can reach Michael at his office in Lakeland by calling (833) RUEL-LAW (783-5529) or completing one of the quick online contact forms on this website to schedule a consultation.

Michael Ruel

Experienced and Successful Property Damage & Construction Defect Attorney

Michael Ruel is the founder and principal attorney at the Ruel Law Firm, serving clients throughout Central Florida and statewide in a variety of legal matters. The firm’s main focus is on representing homeowners as well as businesses who have experienced storm damage and are having difficulty with their residential or commercial property damage insurance claims. Michael also lends his expertise to the related area of construction defect litigation involving water intrusion and other issues created by defective construction.