Michael Okaty

Practice Areas

Michael (Mike) Okaty is a business lawyer who helps companies and their owners accomplish their goals, from formation to raising capital to mergers and acquisitions and beyond. He uses his tax background and business acumen in day-to-day advising of his clients in their personal and professional endeavors. Mike builds long-lasting relationships with clients, who consider him a well-rounded, trusted advisor.

“Mike and the Foley team worked tirelessly, around the clock (24/7) for months to shepherd us through, and protect our interests at every turn. They ran circles around our merger partner’s counsel in a methodical, unflappable manner.”

– Brian Albertson, CEO – SLA Management

“Notwithstanding the large number of legal relationships my team and I have developed, we consistently return to Mike due to his excellent advice, fair and balanced opinions and impressive work ethic.”

– Max Eliscu, CEO – LSQ Funding and Viewpost

Mike represents companies for the life of the business — from garage to global — and serves as an advisor and trustee to high-net-worth individuals and families. He has experience in a wide variety of corporate law matters, including corporate formation; corporate operations and governance; contract drafting, review and negotiation; mergers and acquisitions; private equity and venture capital matters; capital raising, capital market investment, and finance transactions for public and private companies and lenders. His practice includes merger and acquisition work for the senior housing sector.

“I feel fortunate to have had Mike Okaty from Foley on my side during the sale of my company. Mike was able to walk me through the entire process, bringing in expertise to address the different aspects of the sale, while ensuring that the transaction completed without any issues… I was always confident that the advice that I was getting would help me in the short and long term, and it has proven to be true.”

– Esteban Garcia, Founder and CEO, Nebbia Technologies

“Mike Okaty and his team of lawyers dedicate their professional lives to serving their clients. They are always available to partner with us on deals…delivering the energy required to move boulders and close a transaction.”

– Alex Santos, CEO – Fortress Information Security

Mike is presently co-chair of the firm’s Transactions Practice and a member of its Finance Committee and Federal PAC. Formerly, he served as a member of the firm’s Management Committee, as vice chair of the Industry Teams Department and as managing partner for the Orlando office. He is founder and former chair of the firm’s Senior Living Industry Team.

Career

o The Best Lawyers in America®

 Lawyer of the Year – Business Organizations (2023)

 Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2015-2024)

 Corporate Law (2010-2024)

o Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Corporate/M&A & Private Equity (2021-2024)

o Florida Super Lawyers–Rising Stars® (2009, 2011-2014)

o Orlando Business Journal’s “40 under 40” (2008 and 2011)

o “Florida Trend Legal Elite Up & Comer” – Florida Trend magazine (2004)

Professional Memberships

o American Bar Association – Former Chair, Senior Housing Section

o Upshot Investment Committee – Current Member

o University of Central Florida

 Former Vice Chair of the UCF Board of Trustees

 Former member of UCF’s Foundation Board, Convocation Corp, Research Foundation Board, and Senior Living Degree Advisory Board

o Western U

 Board of Trustees – Current member

 Finance Committee – Current member

 Audit Committee– Current member

o Investing Local – Co-founder and managing member

o 1858 Capital Partners – Founding director and board chair

o NCF Advisory Board – Current member

o OneBlood Foundation Board – Current member

o Florida Venture Forum Board – Current member

o NYU Alumni Association Board of Directors – Former member

o ACG Central Florida Board – Former member

o Brevard Zoo Board of Directors – Former member

o Maitland Art and History Board – Former member

o WMFE (NPR) Advisory Board – Former member