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FMLA Attorney

The Family Medical Leave Act gives up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to qualifying employees. But employers don't always respect this right.

Our attorneys can investigate whether your employer’s actions were illegal or discriminatory in relation to your FMLA claim.

Workers come to Chanfrau & Chanfrau in Daytona Beach, FL, for board-certified attorneys who focus on employment law and fight for them. 

What Is the Family Medical Leave Act?

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires employers to allow qualifying employees to take unpaid leave in certain circumstances. An employee exercising this right cannot be denied reinstatement to their position at the end of the leave period, or fired for taking this time.

There are three requisites an employee must meet to qualify for FMLA:

  • They must have worked for their employer for at least 12 months.
  • They must have worked for at least 1,250 hours during the past year.
  • The final requirement is working at a location where their company employs at least 50 employees within 75 miles. 

Any action by an employee that violates the act is grounds for a legal claim and requires showing certain facts in order to recover compensation. Employers often resort to dodgy tactics and misrepresentations to deny medical leave. 

Worker staring at angry boss
Our attorneys focus on winning employment and civil rights cases that threaten the protection provided to eligible employees.

Why Florida Relies on Chanfrau & Chanfrau

The Chanfraus

Several Top-Rated Attorneys

When you choose Chanfrau and Chanfrau, you receive the help of many proven and highly acclaimed lawyers. W. M. Chanfrau, Sr., William M. Chanfrau, Jr., and Kelly Chanfrau are each AV-Preeminent attorneys according to the famed lawyer evaluator Martindale-Hubbell®. 


Martindale-Hubbell began rating lawyers in the 1800s so that civilians in need could know who to trust for legal representation. AV-Preeminent is the highest peer ranking this trusted institution gives out. It is only earned by lawyers who are considered by their peers to have the utmost legal ethics, knowledge, and skill. 

A Personal Dedication to Clients

Chanfrau and Chanfrau Attorneys and Counselors at Law has been protecting Florida workers since 1976. We have won over $300 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients, allowing us to maintain locations in Daytona Beach and Palm Coast.

Our success gave us the opportunity to become a large law firm. Instead, we made a concerted effort to remain small enough to personally and effectively serve our clients. We have seven paralegals and legal assistants, along with significant resources that help us win cases–all while avoiding the burdensome overhead costs that lead large firms to under-settle for quick cash. 

10 Best Law Firm Award
Kelly Chanfrau

Meet Kelly Chanfrau

Board-Certified Labor and Employment Lawyer

Fighting and winning an FMLA claim requires a lawyer with in-depth knowledge. Kelly Chanfrau has gone above and beyond in proving her abilities as an employment and FMLA lawyer. Notably, she became board-certified by the Florida Bar in Labor and Employment Law. Less than 7% of all Florida Bar members have earned this distinction. 

Ms. Chanfrau had to complete many rigorous requirements to earn her board-certified status. She spent the five years prior focusing on labor and employment law. She completed 60 hours of continuing legal education in this legal area. Ms. Chanfrau then passed both a peer review and a written examination. 

The quality of Ms. Chanfrau's representation led to consistent honors. She was named one of the Top 50 Female Super Lawyers® in the entire state of Florida. Another of her many awards came in 2021 when she was named an Orlando Area “Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America. 

Military Family Leave Has Its Own Eligibilities

The spouse, parent, son, or daughter of a newly deployed servicemember may be entitled to FMLA leave even though nobody has been hurt or suffered from a serious health condition. This is because deployment often causes certain issues that require urgent attention. 

This is known as qualifying exigency leave and allows a qualifying individual to take up to 12 work weeks of FMLA leave. Qualifying reasons include the need to arrange daycare, attend official military ceremonies, or make legal arrangements. FMLA also covers military caregiver leave for the family of an injured or grievously ill servicemember. 

Attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau

Chanfrau & Chanfrau

Chanfrau & Chanfrau has been serving Floridians in Daytona Beach and the surrounding areas since 1976. With three attorneys and two locations, we have the resources to help you after an accident or injury. We are proud of our many achievements, including inclusion in:

  • America's Top 100 Attorneys
  • The National Trial Attorneys Top 100 List
  • Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite

For more information about our legal services, contact our firm online or call (386) 258-7313 today.

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Daytona Beach Office

701 N Peninsula Dr
Daytona Beach, FL 32118

Open Today 24 hours

Open 24 hours

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Palm Coast Office

145 Airport Rd
Ste A
Palm Coast, FL 32164

Open Today 24 hours

Open 24 hours

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DeLand Office

100 E New York Ave
Ste # 103-R
DeLand, FL 32724

Open Today 24 hours

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