Choosing the right attorney is an important decision—whether you were in an auto accident, have an insurance claim or were injured on the job. Referrals from family or friends can be helpful, but you need to do your own research to make sure you choose the lawyer that's right for you. Here is some basic information on attorney Michael B. Brehne and the Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A..

Central Florida Attorney: Michael B. Brehne

1. Why did you decide to pursue a career as a lawyer after being a police officer?

After serving my community as a police officer on the street, I made application to the United States Department of treasury. While I was initially accepted and qualified, a hiring freeze was initiated in Washington which left me with another possibility. As a night shift detective working in the drug enforcement division, I had my days predominantly free. Instead of spending my time in a leisurely fashion, I decided I would go back to school to further my education. After reviewing all of the coursework that interested me, I felt that pursuing a career as a lawyer would be the natural progression from a police officer. The skills that I learned on the street interacting with people from all backgrounds, races, socioeconomic positions and educational backgrounds provided me with useful insight when approaching my cases and presenting them for trial. It also provided me with a never lose mentality, which carries over to my litigation strategy.

2. What do you like to do in your spare time?

My most enjoyable time when not at work is spent with my family. There is nothing more satisfying than being around the ones that I love and enjoying everything from watching TV or playing cards to going on cruise vacations. When I am not spending time with my children, I love to hop on my bike and ride the back roads of central Florida with friends and sometimes alone. I also love going to the beach. My hobbies include target shooting, exercise, and I’ve recently begun to travel more often than in the past. My family and I enjoy movies and shows and they are encouraging me to enjoy a more healthy diet.

3. How have your personal endeavors prepared you for your industry?

Since childhood, I have always had a strong sense of right and wrong and justice. I have never run away from a fight and when confronted with overwhelming odds, I would stop, drop back, strategize and determine the best course of action. I did this during my formative years by studying martial arts after a poor performance on the playground. Then in the police academy, I graduated first in my class because nothing would stand in my way from succeeding. So now, from standing up to the bully on the playground to apprehending criminals as a police officer and now as an attorney fighting for my clients in court, I use my attitude, instincts, and drive to achieve strong success.

4. Share a fun fact about yourself.

When I was 17 years old, and 6’0, 150 pounds, I dressed up as Santa Claus to be photographed with children in the Brunswick Square all in East Brunswick, New Jersey. It took four pillows to even make me remotely similar to Santa.

Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A in Orlando, FL

1. Share a fun fact about your company.

My staff looks forward each year to the holiday white elephant present exchange.

2. What do your clients like best about you?

I would say my clients like my direct approach best. I usually don’t tell clients what they want to hear, but rather I tell them the way it is. Most clients appreciate not being lied to or having their case sugarcoated only to learn that their fears have come true. My clients also like that when I am behind them, I am behind them all the way and I will tuck my head down and run forward with their case until I hit a brick wall or break through it.

3. How would your colleagues describe you?

My colleagues would describe me as tough and smart. They know that I understand the law and how to use it to my advantage and they also know that I will not be pushed around and that my clients are going to get a better recovery than the insurance company would prefer to pay. They would also say that as long as they are on my good side, I am extremely friendly and have a great sense of humor. Those on my bad side, would say that I’m very difficult to work with but will use the rules and the law against them rather than lies and deception. But most of all, I believe my colleagues respect me even though my firm and my practice is unconventional.

4. What would your significant other say makes you successful?

My family compliments me often about being very intelligent and resourceful. They admire my photographic memory and my commitment to my goals. They admire my tough as nails personality while at the same time understands and appreciates that my toughness is geared towards protecting my clients and my ideals in order to achieve goals and not used as a weapon in my personal relationships.

5. What do you do better than most?

Before I take on an endeavor, I am positive that I will complete it to the best of my ability which is often better than most. I have a very strong creative side and a knack for translating complicated concepts into easily comprehensible material. I am capable of relating to people on their level, which increases my communication skills and allows me to establish a rapport where other people may not be able to connect. I also enjoy what I do, which, for anybody, will make them better than most.

6. Describe your approach to helping customers?

When a client first appears in my office I need to gather all the pertinent information regarding their case and immediately analyze it and explain to the client but it is possible for me to do and what is impossible for me to do for them. Once I understand the client’s needs and they are clear of my abilities, I set expectations early on in the relationship. After that initial meeting, my job is to prepare their case for trial and to assist them in receiving all of the medical care that they need or to direct them to other resources and other types of cases. I like to follow up with my clients to reinforce the expectations that were set at our initial meeting and to let them know that we are meeting our goals and if we are not, what needs to be done in order to do that. Lastly, I appreciate the input from my clients for their satisfaction when settling a case and do my best to accomplish their goals and to live up to the expectations that were set at our initial meeting.

7. What makes your practice unique?

Our approach to investigating and presenting our cases takes on a unique personality, probably because of the firm’s philosophy which is to begin to our cases, work with our clients to understand their needs and expectations, and to brainstorm to present their case in the best possible light to meet or exceed their expectations. We have no hesitation consulting with other lawyers and law firms and other experts so that all aspects of the case can be considered and all angles of approach to with skill. While other attorneys may think of themselves as an island, we believe that there is a community of valuable resources available for us to utilize which exposes us to thoughts and ideas we would not be able to accomplish on our own.

8. Have there been any defining experiences or success stories you’d like to mention? Maybe how your company saved the day?

One case that stands out in my mind was the case of a gentleman who was recruited in Florida to work in the Bahamas constructing Atlantis on Paradise Island. The gentleman was significantly injured at the construction site but Bahamian law did not require companies to have insurance or workers compensation. When the injured worker was able to return to Florida, he contacted my office to see if we would be able to file a claim for workers compensation benefits. As a young lawyer, I could have easily turned the case down by saying that Florida law does not apply in the Bahamas, but instead, I took on the representation in the workers compensation system and each and every time doors were slammed in my face, I thought of a new avenue to pursue. This eventually led me to an insurance policy issued to the owners of the company, which would never have been discovered had I not been so persistent and resilient. In the end, I had sued three major international companies all three of which offered settlements that when combined, was better than any outcome he could’ve received under the Florida workers compensation scheme. In fact, one of the attorneys representing one of the construction companies, became a law professor and gave this fact pattern to his students for their final exam. He eventually became a judge and used this story as an anecdote when addressing audiences.