About

Turris Fortis is the ancient Kelley family motto — Turris fortis mihi Deus, “God is my strong tower” (Prov. 18:10). Into that tower the righteous run, and are safe. Out of it they go, holding nothing back.

I’m Michael Kelley. I started working on construction sites for my Dad’s companies when I was eleven, and I’ve been in construction and development ever since — as a foreman, a materials supplier, a lender, a developer, and now as a shareholder at a Florida litigation firm, where I lead our Orlando office. I have spent my working life in rooms where deals fracture, partnerships collapse, and people arrive carrying chaos.

These essays are about what those rooms actually are.

The professional world catechizes us into control, victory-hunger, and keeping score. I have been an excellent student of that catechism — I have mistaken winning for righteousness more times than I can count. But I have come to believe that the rooms where lawyers and professionals do their work are holy ground, and that the Christian who works there is called to something harder and better than either passivity or domination: to be a peacemaker, not a peacekeeper. Shalom — nothing missing, nothing broken.

The essays form a continuing series, written in order and best read that way — the library keeps them in order. Alongside them you’ll find prayers and practical resources for walking out the working day.

If you’re a lawyer, or any professional trying to follow Christ inside a demanding vocation — welcome. I read every reply.

Turris fortis mihi Deus.