Michael Dolce
Keynote Speaker, 3rd Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon
Wednesday, April 18 - Benvenuto’s Restaurant, Boynton Beach, FL

“Michael, on behalf of the Florida Senate, thank you for your good work, my friend, thank you.”
Senator Mike Fasano,
from the President’s Podium
of The Florida Senate, April 26, 2010

“I have never seen such intense, emotional, and powerful efforts by an individual than those Michael put forth during this [legislative] session.  He wasn’t afraid to share his story with the world and in turn, help to change many lives for the better.”
Michael A. Haggard, Esq.,
President, The Florida Justice
Association, June 2010

Michael Dolce, Esq.

His childhood in Maryland was marked by one horrific tragedy after another.  At just seven years-old, he fell into the clutches of a neighbor, a violent child sex predator who subjected him to vicious abuse.  He later witnessed his mother’s slow death from cancer and then witnessed his younger brother’s repeated victimization by a sex abuser who had moved into their home.  Michael’s protests to stop it were rejected.  At the dawn of adulthood, he lived through his father’s arrest and imprisonment for a sensational crime that grabbed headlines nationwide.

Michael Dolce emerged from his devastating youth to become a powerful voice for others victimized by violent crime.  Today, he devotes his time as a lawyer and political activist to impact society’s institutions, businesses and individuals to provide for better safety and treatment of children and adults in positions of vulnerability.  Michael’s insight and passion as an abuse and crime survivor have led to historic and nationally-recognized victories for his clients and greater safety for our society.

In 2010, his tenacious six-year crusade in Florida’s legislature overcame a powerful and well-financed opposition to culminate in the passage of sweeping legislation that repealed all statutes of limitation for civil and criminal prosecution of child sexual battery.  That victory was fueled by Michael’s testimony numerous times before legislative committees, which one major newspaper reported left Senators “captivated” and “spellbound.”  Michael’s effort was supported by a grassroots army that he led as the chair of the political committee, Protect Our Kids First, Inc., a campaign he formed to amend the state’s Constitution on Election Day, while simultaneously challenging the Legislature to “beat him to the ballot box.”  His precedent-setting strategy worked.  The Legislature passed the bill that Michael urged, ensuring that never again will a child in Florida be turned away from any civil or criminal court due to the passage of time.  And no predator can ever again take comfort in the ticking of a clock after threatening a child into silence.

Among his courtroom accomplishments, in 2009 Michael achieved one of the highest jury verdicts in Florida history for a child sexual abuse victim.  The verdict exceeded $19 million and was named by The National Law Journal as one of the top 100 verdicts nationwide that year.
Michael’s work on behalf of crime victims has been recognized with awards the National Center for Victims of Crime, the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence and the Florida Justice Association.  In 2008, he was named in Florida Trend magazine’s “Legal Elite,” resulting from a survey of lawyers asked to name the peers they hold in the “highest regard.”

Michael previously served four years on Florida Senator Walter “Skip” Campbell’s staff, where he was instrumental in designing and helping enact significant legislation for the rights of foster and adoptive children, as well as consumer protection legislation.

He is also the author of several publications, including articles on the needs of society’s most vulnerable members, such as "A Better Day for Children: A Study of Florida's Dependency System," published in the Nova Law Review,” and “Pope Offers Hope, But Church Has to Act,” published in the Palm Beach Post.

Michael earned a Bachelor’s Degree, summa cum laude, from Lynn University.  He earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law, which awarded him the Victor O’Wehle Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy.  At Stetson, he was also a Florida Bar Foundation Public Service Fellow and received the Walter Mann Award for leadership following his efforts to fight against race and gender discrimination in the legal profession.  He also began his tireless commitment to crime victim advocacy in law school by volunteering some 1,500 hours to help domestic violence victims at Gulfcoast Legal Services.

Michael serves on The Florida Bar’s Legal Needs of Children Committee and on the governing board of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in West Palm Beach.  In 2011, he was appointed to the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence Board of Directors.  He lives with his two fantastic children in Royal Palm Beach.