A Team Like No Other

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Mike was a firefighter in Central Florida for 26 years with Longwood, IAFF Local 3163. He entered the fire service directly out of high school and became an active member of his union, taking the lead in contract negotiations and labor disputes. He entered management as Battalion Chief in 2002 and retired in 2007 at this rank. With this unique perspective, Mike is keenly aware of issues confronting firefighters and other first responders today. His primary area of law practice is first responder litigation concerning Florida's Heart/Lung Bill, but he also handles first responders’ line-of-duty pension cases. To this day he continues to work with the IAFF on law changes and bills.

Mike attended Seminole Community College and received an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science Technology in 1999. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 2002 from the University of Central Florida. He received a Law Degree in 2006 from Florida A&M University College of Law.

A Black and White Newspaper Clipping showing Mike Clelland in his fire-gear, from when Mike Clelland served as a firefighter himself.
Mike on structure fire 1995
Mike, Melissa, and the Jacksonville Firefighters Association
Mike and Melissa at FPF Conference

We Fight For You

Mike and Melissa have worked together for over 17 years. Melissa is a Florida Bar Certified Paralegal with 27 years of experience, including 10 on the defense side. She has exceptional case-handling skills. She is widely respected in the first responder community, and is Mike’s point person when it comes to moving cases through the litigation process. Together, they have won cases from Miami to Pensacola. They have also had great success in settling cases after their first responders retire.

Mike and Melissa are a team you can count on, both to provide counseling and to aggressively advocate on your behalf. Because of Mike’s background, he can relate to his clients like no other lawyer in Florida who represents first responders.

Our App is Specifically Designed to Help Injured Firefighters Get Help Quickly and Easily

Mike has developed a new App to help firefighters who live anywhere in the country. The App can be used for ANY personal injury, including car accidents, medical malpractice, or any insurance claim. Using the App is very easy, and with a few keystrokes, anyone can get immediate legal assistance with the closest specialized attorney in your area.

This app can be used for ANY  injury, not just workers compensation.

The app is an easy process to leverage the comprehensive injury law expertise and range of Morgan & Morgan®, a firm which Mike partners with and trusts to help first responders across the country.

The Process is Easy

  1. Download the App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
  2. Tell us a little about the incident.
  3. We will help match you to a lawyer in your state who can help you win your case.

Don't wait until the injury or incident happens to download the app. You can have it at the ready today.

Mike's Track Record of Success

Florida Heart/Lung Bill: Winning the Protection First Responders Deserve

If you’re a firefighter, law enforcement officer, corrections officer, or probation officer in Florida diagnosed with heart disease, hypertension, or tuberculosis, you may qualify for powerful benefits under the Heart/Lung Bill.

Mike is a former Central Florida firefighter and Battalion Chief with 26 years of service. He lived the job, rose through the ranks, and now uses that hard-earned knowledge as an attorney dedicated to helping first responders win under Florida Statute § 112.18.

With a proven track record of success, Mike has secured lifetime medical care, lost wages, impairment benefits, and full workers’ compensation protections for many clients. The law creates a strong presumption that your condition is work-related — you don’t have to prove it. Mike knows every tactic insurers use to fight these claims and consistently overcomes them.

Qualification is straightforward: clean pre-employment physical, current certification, and any resulting disability (even an ER visit or missed duty time). Benefits apply 24/7, but prompt notification — ideally within 90 days — is critical.

Don’t let valuable benefits slip away. Get straight answers from an attorney who truly understands the fire service.

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Contact Mike