As one of the top trial attorneys at Greenberg Traurig, a prestigious international law firm, Mike Nicodema has spent 38 years honing his courtroom skills. A principal shareholder in the firm’s West Palm Beach office, Mike has tried both jury and non-jury cases across the United States, handling a diverse range of legal matters—including commercial disputes, product liability, intellectual property cases, class actions, contract and fraud claims, and labor and employment issues. Despite nearly four decades in the field, Mike’s passion for trial law remains unwavering. “It’s the variety of cases, the challenge, and the teamwork with my colleagues that keeps me going,” he says. When asked about his expertise, his response is simple yet definitive: “I’m a trial lawyer.”
Yet, no matter where his legal career takes him, Mike’s heart is always drawn back to the equestrian world of Wellington, Florida. Originally from Rockland County, New York, Mike and his wife, Natalie, have been passionate horse owners for over 30 years. Since the mid-1990s, Natalie has competed in amateur-owner show jumping events from Lake Placid to Wellington. Their equestrian journey dates back to their teenage years when Natalie, a dedicated working student, cared for and exercised horses at a local barn owned by a wonderful woman, Mrs. Barnes. “I didn’t grow up around horses,” Mike recalls, “but I saw the love and care Natalie gave to them. That’s when I realized the profound bond humans can have with horses. Since getting our first horse, Conner, in 1993, every horse we’ve owned has been part of our family.”
For 15 years before 2021, Mike and Natalie spent their winters in Wellington so Natalie could compete at the Winter Equestrian Festival. “To me, Wellington was magical,” Mike says. “You could watch the world’s best equestrian athletes on Friday and Saturday and then see the top polo teams in the world on Sunday at the National Polo Center. There’s nowhere else like it.”
Recognizing a need for premium legal representation in the horse sports community, Mike and several colleagues launched Greenberg Traurig’s Equine Industry Group in 2020. Comprised of over 50 top legal professionals across multiple practice areas, the group provides comprehensive legal services to equestrians, including real estate, environmental law, labor and employment, corporate transactions, tax matters, and insurance.
With clients spanning from Kentucky to Florida, California to Europe, the group represents horse and show venue owners, riders, trainers, and vendors in disciplines such as polo, show jumping, and thoroughbred and standardbred racing and breeding.
In 2021, with the Equine Industry Group flourishing, Mike and Natalie made Wellington their permanent home. “It wasn’t even a close call,” Mike says. “When I’m not in trial, I’m at Wellington International, NPC, our barn, or a client’s barn. We’re surrounded by friends, clients, and the equestrian community every day. Sometimes we wake up and think, ‘Do we really live here? What took us so long to move?’ We absolutely love it.”
To further immerse himself in the Wellington equestrian world, Mike launched a podcast, Minute with Mike, produced by Phelps Media Group. The show features conversations with top equestrian athletes, polo players, and industry executives, offering insights into their careers and the vibrant Wellington community. “I’ve been lucky to have incredible guests, from Olympic riders to leading polo players,” Mike says. “The podcast is about their journeys—showing why Wellington is the global hub for horse sports and bringing the community closer together.”
As part of his community engagement, Mike also moderated a panel at NPC’s Weaving Wellington Together event in January. Featuring representatives from Wellington International and NPC, the discussion focused on uniting the equestrian community and shaping the town’s future. “It was an honor to moderate,” he says. “Over 200 people attended, and the panelists’ heartfelt answers about what Wellington means to them resonated deeply.”
Beyond her equestrian accomplishments, Natalie Nicodema is a registered nurse and health and nutrition counselor specializing in wellness for horse sport athletes. She takes a holistic approach to health, focusing on nutrition, stress management, and inflammation reduction.
“Nat is the most intuitive and caring person I’ve ever met,” Mike says. “She’s helped so many people live healthier, happier lives, and much of that includes their shared love of horses.” From their presence at the Winter Equestrian Festival and Sunday Polo to their dedication to supporting the equestrian community through legal and wellness expertise, Mike and Natalie Nicodema have become integral members of Wellington’s horse world. Their passion, commitment, and contributions make them true pillars of the community, and Wellington is lucky to have them.
Learn more about Mike | Listen to Mike’s podcast: Minute with Mike | Follow Mike on Instagram
