Michelle Anchors is one of the Emerald Coast’s preeminent attorneys. A graduate of Vanderbilt University (B.A. 1987) and the University of Florida College of Law (J.D. 1991), Michelle provides counsel for many businesses, condominiums, and homeowners associations throughout Northwest Florida. Michelle is certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a Circuit Court Mediator and as a Qualified Arbitrator. The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, an invitation-only professional association for attorney mediators and arbitrators, include her as a recognized member of their prestigious organization. Michelle has received the highest rating offered by her professional peers in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review system and has been honored as one of Florida’s “Legal Elite” by Florida Trend magazine.

Michelle’s depth of government and administrative knowledge allow her to match the needs of her private sector clients with the most efficient and effective solutions. After graduating from law school, Michelle served as a law clerk to Justice Parker Lee McDonald of the Florida Supreme Court. She subsequently served as Deputy General Counsel to former Governor Lawton Chiles and was a member of his staff when he served in the United States Senate. Michelle was appointed by Senate President Galvano to serve on the Florida Commission on Ethics, and has previously served as its Chair.

Michelle and her family have been leaders in the Fort Walton Beach and Destin communities for generations. In addition to serving as pro bono counsel to a number of local non-profit organizations, Michelle is personally and actively involved with a number of organizations and issues.  She recently chaired the political action committee “School Cents Makes Sense, Inc.,” an initiative to fund infrastructure for public schools. Former Governor Jeb Bush and former Governor Charlie Crist appointed Michelle to chair the Committee for a Sustainable Emerald Coast.

Michelle was named “Best Corporate Citizen” by Emerald Coast Magazine.  She was honored to serve as one of the founding members and first President of IMPACT 100 of Northwest Florida, which raises and provides significant grant funding for deserving local non-profit organizations. Michelle has served as President of the Greater Fort Walton Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Okaloosa County School Readiness Coalition and on the boards of directors for the University of West Florida Foundation and the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

Michelle enjoys long-distance open water swimming (recently completing an 8-mile swim off the Keys of Florida), backpacking with her family, and struggling to learn the cello.