Since 1995 · Serving Lake County, Florida

Employment Law, Civil Rights & Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Lake County, Florida

Marie A. Mattox, P.A. is a Tallahassee, Florida law firm representing individuals throughout Lake County, North Florida, and South Georgia. Founded in 1995, the firm focuses on employment law, police misconduct and civil rights law, and personal injury law.

Your fight is our fight.

A Brief History of Lake County

Lake County was carved out of parts of Sumter and Orange counties in May 1887, after state lawmakers, led by a Leesburg senator, pushed a bill through the legislature that Governor Edward Perry signed into law. The new county took its name simply from its defining geographic feature: a landscape dotted with well over a thousand lakes and other bodies of water, a trait that set it apart from its drier neighbors. Bloomfield, near present-day Yalaha, briefly served as the first county seat before voters settled on Tavares the following year.

Settlers had already been moving into the area by the 1840s, drawn by fertile highlands suited to citrus groves. Through the late 1800s and much of the 1900s, orange and grapefruit production became the backbone of the local economy, and the region was often described as part of Florida's citrus heartland, with packing houses and rail spurs built to move fruit to northern markets.

Devastating freezes in the late 1800s and again in the 1980s and 1990s pushed the citrus industry southward and forced many grove owners to sell or repurpose their land. That shift opened the door to residential development, and towns like Mount Dora, Clermont, and Leesburg diversified into tourism, retail, and services even as pockets of citrus, and newer crops such as blueberries, persisted.

Lake County's Economy Today

Lake County's economy today reflects a shift away from its historic reliance on citrus toward a broader mix of healthcare, retail, construction, and education. Population growth in recent decades has been a major driver, with new residents fueling demand for housing, medical services, and consumer goods across communities such as Clermont, Tavares, and Leesburg.

Agriculture still has a presence, though it looks different than in past generations. Alongside remaining citrus groves, growers have expanded into blueberries, peaches, and ornamental horticulture, and some farms have added agritourism activities like u-pick operations to supplement income. The county's lakes and rolling terrain also support a tourism sector built around bass fishing, boating, cycling, and community festivals.

Healthcare has grown into one of the county's largest employers, with hospital systems operating facilities in Tavares, Clermont, and Leesburg to serve a growing and aging population. The county's location along major highway corridors has also attracted distribution and light manufacturing operations, taking advantage of relatively affordable land compared to nearby metro areas.

Founded

1995

Experience

30+ Years

Jurisdictions

FL & GA

Consultation

Free

The firm represents individuals throughout Lake County, Florida who have been wronged in the workplace, subjected to civil rights violations, or injured through someone else's negligence. Cases are handled in state, federal, and appellate courts across Florida and Georgia, through negotiation where possible and litigation where necessary.

Florida and federal law protect employees from discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Marie A. Mattox, P.A. represents employees throughout Lake County, Florida in matters arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

The firm's employment law practice includes:

• Disability accommodation and FMLA leave disputes
• Workplace discrimination and harassment, including claims based on race, sex, age, disability, national origin, and religion
• Noncompete and restrictive employment contract disputes
• Retaliation and whistleblower claims
• Wrongful termination

The Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments protect individuals from police misconduct, excessive force, false arrest, and other civil rights violations committed by government authorities. Marie A. Mattox, P.A. has litigated civil rights cases throughout Florida and Georgia courts for more than 20 years and represents Lake County clients in these matters.

The firm's civil rights practice includes:

• Excessive force claims
• False arrest and unlawful detention
• Civil rights abuses occurring while a person is in custody
• Other civil rights violations by government actors

Serious injuries caused by car accidents, truck collisions, and negligence can leave victims facing medical bills, lost income, and long-term uncertainty. Marie A. Mattox, P.A. represents injury victims and holds negligent parties accountable, pursuing full compensation on behalf of clients throughout Lake County, Florida and Georgia.

The firm's personal injury practice includes:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Wrongful death claims
• Defective vehicles and road hazards
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims

Additional Legal Services

In addition to its primary practice areas, Marie A. Mattox, P.A. also handles business law, criminal defense, and family law matters for clients in Lake County and the greater Tallahassee area. Contact the firm directly to discuss whether these services fit your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions