Michael J. Trentalange

About Mike

Meet Mike Trentalange, a New York City native who brought his energy and passion to Florida when his family relocated in 1977. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida in 1983, where he was named a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Army ROTC program. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Regular Army and served on active duty until 1987.

After his active military service, Mike attended law school at Stetson University College of Law, where he earned his law degree with honors in December 1989. During law school, Mike gained valuable experience serving for nine months as a volunteer law clerk/intern with United States District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich. Judge Kovachevich has credited Mike for the establishment of the Federal judicial internship program at Stetson.

Mike began his legal career with the Tampa office of Carlton Fields, where he gained coveted trial experience. In 1993, he founded his own practice, representing Plaintiffs in civil litigation. He later teamed up with Elizabeth “Lisa” Kelley to create the successful law firm, Trentalange & Kelley, P.A.

Mike is board certified as an expert in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. His practice focuses on representing individuals who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries from medical negligence. He has obtained many multi-million dollar settlements and awards for his clients.

Mike obtained one of the nation’s top 50 jury verdict in 2013 and 2014 and a verdict of 10 million dollars or more 5 times in the past nine years. In recognition of his successes, Mike has been named to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Mike's passion for law extends beyond his successful career. He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Florida Justice Association, the American Association for Justice, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association.

In addition to his legal pursuits, he is a licensed helicopter pilot, and recently earned a Master of Science in Bioethics from Harvard Medical School. After more than 15 years away from the military, Mike returned to the United States Army Reserve in 2006 and, although unable to deploy overseas, assisted in supporting the Global War on Terror until 2010.     

With over 30 years of experience and a reputation for excellence, Mike continues to be recognized as one of Florida's Super Lawyers and has been rated "AV" — preeminent — by his peers and the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory since 1998. He is admitted to practice in Florida and Washington, D.C., as well as the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.

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