Mike Papantonio
@mikepapantonio.bsky.social
120 followers 53 following 97 posts
Mike Papantonio is an author, trial lawyer, and host of America’s Lawyer, exposing corporate greed through gripping legal thrillers. https://www.mikepapantonio.com/
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mikepapantonio.bsky.social
Every plot line is rooted in real cases I’ve fought—real crimes, real victims, and real corruption hidden by corporate media.

That’s why I’m launching a monthly newsletter: to take you behind the curtain and share the stories the networks won’t touch.

www.mikepapantonioauthor.com/newsletter
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
I’m excited to be speaking at MTMP Fall 2025 in Las Vegas this October!

I’ll be presenting on the future of AI in the legal industry. How it’s transforming the way we practice law, the opportunities it creates for justice, and the challenges we need to navigate responsibly.

#MTMPFall25
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
If I were throwing a party and could invite any of my characters, Michael Carey would be at the top of the list. He’s a former special ops PJ who went from rescue missions in Afghanistan to the courtroom. An incredible trial lawyer who doesn’t always color inside the lines.
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
If I could choose a historical figure for my trial team, it would be Clarence Darrow. He was deeply flawed—‘damaged goods,’ as I’ve said—but his passion for justice and commitment to America’s underclass made him one of the greatest trial lawyers of his time.
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
Lights, cameras, and a brand-new story in the making. I’ve been working behind the scenes to bring my next legal thriller to life and I’m excited to share the news: “A Death in Arcadia” releases March 2026. Corruption, power, and the fight for justice collide in a small Southern town. Stay tuned...
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
Writers like Robert Crais shine a light on real issues. Years ago, he wrote Taken, a thriller that captured the rise of human trafficking on the border before most people were even talking about it. That’s the power of storytelling. It entertains, but it can also warn, reveal, and inspire.
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
Want a chance to win some free books? Enter here: bit.ly/4mIN0fL
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
Judges aren’t above criticism — not when their rulings hurt real people. In my books, I call that out. I also shine a light on the lawyers who use their license to actually do good. If that inspires even one lawyer to aim higher, it’s worth it.
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
If you follow me at all, you probably know I love sharing my books with readers. And I especially enjoy finding new readers for my work. So do me a favor, help me share! I’m giving away five complete sets of my Deke Deketomis thrillers. Enter here for a chance to win: bit.ly/4mIN0fL
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
When you’re trying 10 or 12 cases a year, life outside the courtroom takes a toll. I remember being on the road 200 days in a single year and trying to balance being a lawyer with being a father and husband. That struggle shows up in my books, where every character wrestles with the same challenges.
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
There are over 800,000 licensed lawyers in this country. The real question is what do you do with that license? Do you take extraordinary risks, like fighting corporations that destroy entire ecosystems? Or do you take the easy route with routine cases anyone could handle?
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
I’ve got incredibly talented friends right here in my hometown who are writers. But too often, they face a strange wall. People think, “I know them, I see them socially, why should I read their book?” That mindset misses the point.
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
Some of the strangest moments in trial are the ones you can’t make up and they often end up as material for my books.
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
Order your copy of the Middleman: a.co/d/4G3XYUD
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
To be a good writer, balance is everything. Family comes first. Always. Before another case, another chapter, or another book. Writing can consume you, but the time spent with loved ones, sharing a glass of wine or talking about ideas, brings perspective and clarity.
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
F. Lee Bailey was one of the sharpest, most creative criminal lawyers I ever knew and a close friend. His cross-examinations were masterful. I still draw on his traits when I write characters in my books. He was a giant in the courtroom, no matter what the critics said.
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
Order your copy of The Middleman: a.co/d/gMxicF9
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
LIVE YOUR BEST STORY.
Sunset on the Serengeti. Nothing quite like it.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fire and gold, the quiet hum of the wild settled in around us. Lanterns flickered, smoke curled from the fire, and every detail felt suspended in time.
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
It sounds counterintuitive, but too much time in the courtroom can kill a legal thriller. Unless the scene moves the story forward, it doesn’t belong. I’ve tried more cases than most, and even I know: readers want a story, not a transcript.
mikepapantonio.bsky.social
Woke up to the sounds of lions in the distance and birds welcoming the sunrise over the Serengeti.

Campfire coffee, endless skies, and the thrill of the wild just beyond the tent.

This is Tanzania — raw, real, and absolutely unforgettable.

Safari life hits different out here.