Get to Know W. M. Chanfrau, Sr.
William Chanfrau, Sr. began practicing defense law in 1973. He soon realized he had a duty to help people rather than corporations, so in 1976 he founded a law firm to represent plaintiffs.
Mr. Chanfrau is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney with a stellar reputation in his community and throughout the state of Florida. The cornerstones of his legal practice have always been a commitment to excellence and the pursuit of justice for all his clients.
Mr. Chanfrau is available at our DeLand, Daytona Beach, and Palm Coast locations.
How W. M. Chanfrau, Sr. Got His Start And Discovered His True Calling as a Plaintiff's Attorney
W. M. Chanfrau, Sr. tells us about his initial entry into the legal field representing insurance companies and how he discovered his passion for assisting plaintiffs. He was drawn to helping individuals whose injuries impact their normal daily lives. Mr. Chanfrau firmly dedicates himself to his clients and is a strong advocate for them.
W. M. Chanfrau, Sr.
in His Own Words
My friends call me Bill. I’m proud to be a plaintiff’s attorney.
I strongly believe in the civil justice system and the right to retain an attorney on a contingency fee basis. These fundamental elements of trial law level what would otherwise be an imbalanced playing field, weighted heavily in favor of the liability insurance industry and corporate America.
I’ve been board-certified by the Florida Bar since 1983. As president of the local bar association, I helped found a legal clinic for the poor and organized local attorneys to provide Pro Bono services.
I’ve received a variety of awards for my practice over the years, but I’m perhaps most proud of Martindale-Hubbell’s recognition of my practice in its Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers.
Our firm aggressively pursues the interests of our clients within the rules and laws of the State of Florida.
Call (386) 258-7313
"My roots run deep in the Volusia County justice system. My maternal grandmother was Florida’s first female court reporter in 1936, and my father was appointed by the Governor to succeed her as the Official Court Reporter in 1960." W. M. Chanfrau, Sr.
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD)
Stetson University College of Law
Gulfport, FL
1973 - Bachelor of Science (BS)
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
1968
Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Affiliations
- Florida Bar
- Volusia County Bar Association (VCBA)
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA)
- American Association for Justice (AAJ)
- Super Lawyers
Awards &
Distinctions
- Martindale-Hubbell’s Preeminent Peer and AV-Rated Attorney (1996-present)
An AV Rating indicates that the attorney has reached the height of professional excellence, demonstrating the highest levels of skill and integrity. An AV Rating is achieved only through independent peer review. - Pro Bono Award by the Florida Supreme Court (1982)
In recognition of Mr. Chanfrau's efforts as President of the Volusia County Bar Association and establishing the Volusia County Lawyer Service Project, a legal clinic that provided free legal services to poor and underserved members of the community. - Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Silver Eagle Award for Outstanding Leadership (1989 & 1991)
- American Jurisprudence Award for Contracts and Criminal Law
- AVVO Clients Choice – Top Attorney Personal Injury
- The National Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Florida State University Hall of Fame
Community
Involvement
- Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce
- Rotary Club of Ormond Beach, Florida (1980–present; President 2001)
- Daytona Beach International Festival (1986–present)
Mr. Chanfrau was a Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy Reserve. He served as an Ensign from 1968-1976 and was on active duty from 1968-1971 at the submarine base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He reached the rank of Lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve before receiving an honorable discharge.
Specialties & Legal Services
Clients Share Their Experiences with Chanfrau & Chanfrau Continuing a Decades-Long Tradition of Client-Focused Representation
mary stolpmann
Daytona Beach, FL
2023
Chanfrau and Chanfrau were awesome with my case. They were attentive, easy to contact, and courteous throughout this whole process. Really appreciate them taking my case and doing there do diligence to help me. Thank you Chanfrau and Chanfrau
View on GoogleReho Daenerys
Palm Coast, FL
2023
Very easy to work with and very kind. Everyone on staff cares about you and will get to know you on a first name basis. Very happy with my outcome and highly recommend for anyone looking for some good lawyers!
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William M. Chanfrau, Jr.
Kelly Chanfrau
Greg Olsen
