Law Offices of Duensing & Casner
E-mail: mfitzsimmons@vilawyers.com
Mike Fitzsimmons was admitted to practice in Texas in 2000 and in all courts of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Third Circuit in 2001. He prosecuted criminal cases for the Harris County, Texas District Attorney while attending law school. Before law school, Mike worked as a public school teacher and a Coast Guard licensed charter boat skipper prior to a 14-year career as manager of resort hotels on St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy from 1965-66, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Loras College in 1970, and graduated from South Texas College of Law in 2000. Mr. Fitzsimmons has been certified as a mediator by both the federal District Court and the V.I. Superior Court since 1995. He joined the firm in 2000, became a partner in 2004 and became of counsel in 2016.
Mike’s practice areas include defense against personal injury claims; representation of insurance carriers in coverage disputes; advice to and defense of condominium associations; and defense of white-collar criminal actions. Because litigation skills are helpful in mediation, Mike has been successful in mediation both as a party advocate and as a neutral mediator. The prosecution and defense of admiralty and maritime matters (including non-judicial repossession and sale) are particularly interesting to Mike, and he maintains TWIC credentials to ensure access to restricted vessels, port terminals, and other secure transportation facilities.
- Admitted to Bar: Texas (2000); U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit Court of Appeals (2001).
- Education: U.S. Naval Academy (1965-66); Loras College (B.S. 1970); South Texas College of Law (J.D. 2000).
- Member: American Bar Association; Virgin Islands Bar Association: Third Circuit Bar Association; Counsel 2016
- Practice Areas: Insurance Defense, Admiralty and Maritime Law, Real Estate Litigation, Condominium Law, and Collections.