Michael C. Kelley
Michael is a native Floridian, born and raised in Orlando. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Rollins College in Winter Park, where he graduated magna cum laude, and received his juris doctorate from the University of Florida College of Law, where he graduated cum laude.
Michael's practice is devoted exclusively to real estate and business law. Prior to joining Cantwell & Goldman, Michael held positions in contract drafting with Siemens Energy, as a legal intern with HD Supply, as an intern for federal bankruptcy judge, J. Michael Williamson, as a mortgage banker and manager with HomeBanc Mortgage Corporation, as a regional sales manager with American Steel Buildings, and in various roles with his family's construction business, where he began working as a journeyman commercial painter at the age of 16.
Michael has focused his legal experience on structuring and negotiating commercial contracts and business transactions. Michael has been involved in multi-million and billion dollar energy procurement contract negotiations, corporate purchases and mergers, international consortium agreements, construction and engineering contracts, software licensing and escrow agreements, commercial and residential real estate transactions, and various other business-related contracts.
Michael's most memorable law school experience came when Michael engaged Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas, on a point of law during the Justice's visit to UF. In follow-up discussions, Michael and Justice Thomas became friends and, during a return visit to the University of Florida, on September 21, 2012, Justice Thomas swore Michael in to the Florida Bar in a private ceremony attended by Michael's wife, Chandy, and their soon-to-be-born daughter, Charlotte.
Michael is a self-taught piano player, cigar aficionado, and amateur gourmet chef.
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- Florida
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- English: Spoken, Written
- University of Florida Levin College of Law
- J.D.
- Honors: Graduated cum laude
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- Rollins College
- B.A. | Economics
- Honors: Graduated magna cum laude
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