Michael C. Kelley serves as a partner at Lawson Huck Gonzalez, PLLC, leading the Orlando office.

Michael possesses extensive experience in construction and development, focusing his practice on deal structuring, risk management, dispute resolution and avoidance, and strategic use of litigation. He handles transactional and project management aspects of construction and development projects, including acquisition, operation, management, and restructuring, in a variety of real estate and infrastructure markets. Michael helps clients make informed decisions to avoid, defend against, or utilize litigation efficiently, to protect advantageous relationships, and to enhance overall profitability and economic value. His clientele includes municipal and private entities, which he represents across a wide spectrum of legal and business scenarios.

Before joining Lawson, Michael was a transactional and litigation partner in the construction practice group of a prominent AmLaw 200 Florida-only firm. He also previously served as Chief Development Officer and General Counsel for a private equity and development company, where he honed skills from the client side and personally developed commercial projects across 12 states exceeding $500MM in market value.

Michael has specific experience in major roadway construction and design projects; hospitality, medical, and seniors housing developments; managing large development and material supply contracts for multi-national corporations; and as general counsel and in-house legal for various construction-related companies. He also gained invaluable experience as a clerk for Michael G. Williamson, a federal bankruptcy judge for the Middle District of Florida.

Before beginning his legal career, Michael contributed to various businesses in roles encompassing ownership and regional leadership, international material sales and supply, project management, and construction financing. He studied law briefly in France and focused on the study of law in emerging economies, particularly in South America. Hailing from Orlando, Michael has a deep-rooted connection to the construction industry, having grown up serving in his family’s statewide construction businesses.