Michael G. Stofer, Partner/Shareholder

Mike was born in Arkansas but moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, when he was about two years old and grew up in the Tampa Bay area. After high school, he began working full time and attending college. He first enrolled at St. Petersburg Junior College and in 1992 he earned an A.A. Degree, with a focus on criminal justice. He then attended the University of South Florida (enrolling at the St. Petersburg Campus) and earned a B.A. Degree in Political Science (Government and International Affairs) in 1994. Upon earning his B.A. Degree, Mike attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he earned his J.D. (Juris Doctorate, with honors) in 1996.

Being the son of a police officer, Mike always had an interest in law enforcement and began his legal career at the State Attorney's Office in Pinellas County, Florida. In approximately five years at the State Attorney's Office, Mike prosecuted juvenile cases, misdemeanor cases, domestic batteries, DUI's, felonies, drug trafficking cases and murders. Mike was specially assigned to investigate and prosecute child abuse cases and handled a number of capital child abuse trials. Mike was also assigned to the DUI Manslaughter Squad, which was a special team of prosecutors that assisted in the investigation and prosecution of motor vehicle related fatality cases.

After gaining valuable trial experience, Mike took a position as an associate at the law firm of Caglianone, Miller & Anthony in Tampa, Florida. He continued his focus on litigation primarily in the areas of insurance defense and motor vehicle liability, along with some personal injury cases and some appellate work.

In 2005 Mike joined the firm of Deacon, Moulds & Smith. He continues to practice litigation in several areas, focusing in the areas of medical malpractice and nursing home defense, defending doctors, nurses and nursing homes that get sued by their patients. In addition to these areas of civil litigation, and based upon the significant criminal and trial experience gained during his time at the State Attorney's Office, Mike has continued to practice in the area of criminal law representing those charged with traffic infractions, DUI's, misdemeanors and felonies.

Mike still lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife and two boys. He is actively involved in his church and enjoys sports.