Mike Peacock
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Mike Peacock

Mike Peacock’s career as a litigator, which includes more than 40 years of law practice, prepared him to be an outstanding mediator and arbitrator. Mike’s training and education as a police officer, an ordained pastor, and years of experience in client counseling and pastoral counseling gives him deep insight into litigants, lawyers, and their positions and expectations in litigation.

Mike is an experienced civil and criminal litigator, having tried dozens of jury cases, including complex homicide cases. While working as a police officer, he was trained in hostage negotiation, crisis intervention and conflict management, which formed the foundation for his role as a mediator. He received his Circuit and County Court Mediation Certification in 2007 and became a Florida Court Appointed Arbitrator in 2021.

His practice has included 13 years as a prosecutor, 13 years as an assistant public defender representing homicide defendants, and over 17 years in civil litigation. Mike has courtroom experience, supervisory experience, and management experience. Mike’s practice at James, Hoyer, Newcome & Smiljanich, PA, and Peacock Law Firm, PA, was largely focused on class action, complex litigation, and Federal False Claim Act cases. Mike’s civil practice experience included fraud cases, product defects, vaccine cases, pharmacy compliance matters, and securities litigation. Mike has been settlement counsel in several class action matters. Most recently, Mike worked as in-house counsel to the Sheriff of Hernando County, using his background in criminal law, employment, and civil litigation to advise the sheriff in all legal aspects of operating a large agency.

Mike is committed to the Tampa Bay community, volunteering his time to church organizations and church governance committees, and an array of local community and charitable interests. He is married and devoted to his family, but his most important job is as Papa to his four grandchildren.

Admitted to Practice

  • Florida Bar, 1980; Bar Number 303682
  • United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, January, 1981
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2000
  • 11th Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States, 2002
  • United States Court of Claims, 2002
  • 9th Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States, March, 2003

Education

  • A.A., St. Petersburg Junior College, 1972
  • B.A., University of South Florida, double major: criminal justice & sociology, 1974
  • Pinellas Police Academy, 1974, Class #44, Certified Police Officer, State of Florida
  • M.A. University of South Florida, major in criminal justice and certified in technical and post-secondary education, 1976. Master’s Thesis: Some Issues and Problems Encountered in the Application of Florida’s Comprehensive Alcohol Rehabilitation and Treatment Act – Commonly Known as the Myers Act
  • J.D., Stetson University College of Law, 1980. (Trial Advocacy Society; Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity Justice; Inns of Court Chairman; Prosecution Clinic; Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges & Universities)
  • M.Div. Began seminary training at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia. Graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida, 2010.  (Now Ordained as a Teaching Elder – Pastor – in the Presbyterian Church, USA (PCUSA))