Construction Attorney Michael Kelley

18/05/2026

For years Iʼve wrestled with the statement God makes at the end of the Book of Job: “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”(Job 42:7)

God was angry with the friends because they were supposed to know Him, were supposed to tell the right stories about who He is—His character, His expectations, His love for us—but like the Pharisees of Jesusʼs day, these supposed experts about God did more to turn people away than to introduce them to the One who created them: to know and be known by Him, to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

This is what it really means to take Godʼs name in vain. When you pretend to know Him; when you arrogantly act as if you do know Him; and when you lead others astray by not speaking rightly of Him. I have been guilty of this too many times to count. I want to learn to tell the right stories about our wonderful Heavenly Father.

12/05/2026

A colleague asked how my prayer life fits into the part of my day where everything is happening fast. The work Lawson Huck Gonzalez, PLLC is experiencing is good and abundant – we've never been busier with meaningful, high-stakes cases like we are today. The workload is immense, the deadlines are real, and there is no clean break between one matter and the next. So when, exactly, do I pray? And how does prayer make the day faithful instead of just busy?

I tried to answer honestly in "Practice Pointers for the Christian Lawyer."

My previous essays argued that legal work is holy ground and that the Christian lawyer/peacemaker must learn to fight with weapons God supplies. This one is about the working day itself – the early morning (before the urgencies arrive), the continuous prayer underneath the tyrannies of the urgent, the manna (daily bread) we are not meant to hoard, the saying-no-to-good-things that lets us say yes to the One who owns it all.

Turris fortis mihi Deus—the Lord is my strong tower. (Prov. 18:10)

10/05/2026

The second essay in my TURRIS FORTIS series is now published: "The Weapons of Peace: How the Christian Lawyer Practices on Holy Ground."

The piece picks up where "Where Chaos Meets Holy Ground" left off. If the rooms in which lawyers do their work are holy ground (which I argued in the first essay), then the next question is unavoidable: what kind of lawyer must we become there?

The essay names two errors lawyers consistently fall into – passivity and domination – and argues for a third way that is neither the soft middle nor a clever compromise. The Christian lawyer is called to a harder, narrower path: disciplined strength submitted to Christ. The skilled warrior who is capable of force but not in love with it. The advocate who can confront without contempt and protect without grasping.

Most of all, the piece is about the difference between grasping and receiving; between forcing my will through legal tools and offering legal tools as servants of God's truth. That distinction shows up in every demand letter, every deposition, every motion, every settlement. It shows up at 9:00 on a Tuesday morning, when I am tempted to be more confident in my own preparation than in the One who gave me the work in the first place.

Written for fellow Christian lawyers, and for anyone whose work involves tools that can be used to build up or to tear down.

Link in the comments.

Turris fortis mihi Deus — Prov. 18:10

06/05/2026

Grateful to The Collaborative and Case Thorp for sharing my recent article: "Where Chaos Meets Holy Ground" (https://wecolabor.com/where-chaos-meets-holy-ground/)

Where Chaos Meets Holy Ground – Prayer, Peacemaking (Not Peacekeeping), and the Christian Lawyer

05/05/2026

Little different take on the practice of law...

Prayer, Peacemaking (Not Peacekeeping), & the Christian Lawyer

14/04/2026

18/08/2025

Congratulations to my partner Adam Brandon on launching his campaign today! All the right people are supporting him in Jax.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/751793-adam-brandon-jax-council/
https://voteadambrandon.com/

Donate Paid for by Adam Brandon, Republican, for City Council District 6 Adam Brandon is a member of the Navy Reserve. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.

31/05/2025

The Lawson Firm is grateful to be a part of the Arts Fellowship Orlando. And excited to see many friends at this year's Showcase!

The 2025 Summer Showcase would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors!

Tickets for both June 8th shows are available at fpco.org/arts.
Grab yours before they sell out!

Deep Calls to Deep | Sunday, June 8th | 2:30 & 7PM
📍 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

17/04/2025

Coming up on 6 months since we did this. What an honor, to have been with Hope and Terri - to share a small role in their story - and to work alongside such brave professionals as Alan Lawson, Jason Gonzalez, Caroline May Poor and all the others at Lawson Huck Gonzalez, PLLC!

In an interview with former member of the Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson, Hope and her adoptive mother explained how Hope is a “living, breathing miracle.” More at link in bio.

05/03/2025

Thrilled to be working again with Eric Reed!

We are proud to welcome Eric C. Reed as a shareholder in our Orlando office! A seasoned litigation attorney with extensive experience in commercial litigation, construction disputes, creditors’ rights, and lender representation, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success.

Join us in congratulating Eric as he takes on this new role at Lawson Huck Gonzalez, PLLC! 🎉