W. Michael Clifford Attorney At Law

Mike’s practice has emphasized tax law, estate planning, and trust and estate administration. Mike has advised families, individuals, business owners, and investors on income and estate tax planning, state and local taxation, and inbound investment planning for foreign investors. Mike has also represented individuals, businesses, and estates in audits and disputes with tax authorities and has assisted clients with legislation affecting Florida tax matters. Mike has repeatedly been honored with the distinction assisting generations within the same family in matters related to wealth preservation. He has also assisted businesses with succession planning.

• Background

  Mike grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. He received his bachelor’s from Florida State University in 1973 and attended the University of Florida College of Law to received his juris doctor in 1976. Mike has practiced law in Orlando, Florida continuously since 1976. He also received a masters of laws in taxation from the University of Florida in 1985. 

• Education
  • Florida State University, B.A. (magna cum laude, 1973)
    • Phi Beta Kappa
  • University of Florida, J.D. (honors, 1976)
    • Phi Kappa Phi
  • University of Florida, LL.M. (1985) 
• Admissions
  • Florida
• Professional Associations and Memberships
  • The Florida Bar
    • Board Certified in Tax Law, 1998-Present
    • Tax Law Section, Member
    • Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Member
  • Orange County Bar
  • American Bar Association
    • Tax Law Section, Member
    • Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Member
  • Central Florida Estate Planning Council, Past President and Director 
• Awards and Recognitions
  • AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates, 2007-2025
    • Lawyer of the Year, Trusts and Estates, 2011
  • Orlando Magazine, Best Lawyers, 2008-2010, 2014, 2018-2021
  • Florida Super Lawyers, 2007-2009 
• Civic
  • WMFE-Channel 24, Former Chair of the Endowment Committee and Planning Giving Advisor and former member of the Community Advisory Board
  • City of Winter Park Firefighters Pension Fund, Board of Trustees and Past Chair
  • Community Health Foundation of Central Florida, Board of Directors, Past Member
  • Florida Hospital Foundation, Board of Directors, Past Member
  • University of Central Florida Foundation, Board of Directors, Past Member
  • Chelonian Research Institute, Board Member
  • Seniors First, Planned Giving Committee, Past Member