About
Lawyer for small businesses
I’m focused on providing small businesses with high quality general counsel, litigation, and dispute resolution services. I strive to deliver pragmatic legal solutions to help you run your business more efficiently.
lawyer for physicians
We have seen firsthand how challenging it can be for physicians to effectively negotiate their employment contracts. I pride myself on effectively serving physicians and guiding them through contract negotiations and enforcement.
I operate a lean, virtual law practice, and pride myself on passing those savings to my clients.
Let us discuss how I can help you protect your business.
Who I Am
My passion is helping physicians use contracts to execute their life plan and pursue the career they desire. I was motivated to create a law practice focused on helping early career physicians navigate contracts because there is so little training available to you. MegaHealth, private equity-backed firms, large group practices, and other healthcare companies have massive teams and highly specialized consultants to guide them on how to use contracts to exert as much control and power over you as possible to their own financial benefit. You deserve an opportunity to close that information gap and have competent advocates to help you defend yourself. That is my mission.
This all started for me when I met my future wife in March 2016 – the week before match! Lucky for me, she matched in New Orleans and I was blessed to experience residency as the spouse of a physician (lol). It was tough to get great education about physician contracts. I found myself helping out friends and colleagues, and then my wife, and fell in love with this small corner of the law. I previously worked for large and medium/boutique firms, primarily litigating claims related to insurance, general business, construction, and employment. I started Michael Johnson Legal in 2019 to serve small businesses and physicians, and my passion for physicians quickly became my primary practice area. My favorite aspect of this practice is the ongoing personal interaction with physicians and providing training seminars for residency and fellowship programs. I also enjoy my social media presence and using this platform to advocate for physicians.
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I am licensed to practice law in Wisconsin and Louisiana, and actively practice in both states. I graduated from Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana. When I am not geeking on legal issues, I am chasing my two kids, Michael III “Trey” (2019) and Lola (2021). I love prioritizing somewhat-foodie date nights with my wife Ally, a psychiatrist. I also enjoy playing tennis, paddle, and golf. I played the lower levels of professional tennis for a couple years after high school, competed in over 26 countries, and represented the United States in international team competition. I then played college tennis, competing for Auburn University – Montgomery and winning a team NAIA national championship in 2010. I then coached the Tulane University Women’s Tennis team as a graduate assistant coach, before and during law school. I love teaching and mentoring junior tennis players. I recently picked up platform tennis (aka “paddle”) and I am hooked!
Licenses:
– Louisiana
– Wisconsin
Esther Roskam
Esther has been with MJL since October 2022 and got her start in physician contract review assisting her spouse with contract reviews. She enjoys helping many physicians get better contract terms through calm and assertive communications. Thorough and detail oriented, she values the opportunity to connect with her clients and advise them on the practical implications of contracts and the law. Esther attended University of Maryland Law School, where her areas of interest were Medical Malpractice and Family Law.
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In her spare time, Esther entertains her very scruffy dog, consumes copious amounts of sushi, and avoids yellow highlighters.
Licenses:
Jake Silvester
Jake Silvester is a Law Clerk with Michael Johnson Legal and he joined the firm in April 2023. Formerly, Jake worked as a pharmacy technician for six years prior to attending law school. Since 2014, Jake has supported his wife, Kelsey, through obtaining her undergraduate degree, applying to medical school, attending medical school, and currently a psychiatry resident. Jake shares Michael’s soft spot for psychiatrists! Jake has witnessed that the amount of training and education that goes into becoming a doctor often leaves little room for teaching students how to navigate their employment opportunities after residency.
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While in law school at the University of Idaho and Texas A&M, Jake was fortunate to gain experience in various legal areas, including contract review, entity formation, and employment matters. Jake is eager to be a thoughtful and diligent advocate for clients to help them secure meaningful and fulfilling employment. Outside of caring for three children, Jake likes to participate in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, basketball, softball, or tennis. Jake also loves movies and TV shows, and he is always open to suggestions!
Licenses:
– Pending for Texas
Representative Matters
Defended civil lawsuits and criminal charges brought against a general contractor by the owner and subcontractors under contractor theft statutes.
Represented a green construction real estate developer in defending insurance-related employee status claims under state-specific workers compensation act.
Evaluated and negotiated numerous physician employment agreements.
Facilitated sale of a dental practice and resolution of related tax and liability risks.
Litigated on behalf a Public Works Act contractor bringing a mandamus action against a public entity to collect unpaid debts and statutory interest penalties.
Represented a multi-state restaurant chain in response to a potential unauthorized access of personal data claim (cybersecurity and data privacy).
Obtained dismissal of a former-employee’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) claim under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) on behalf of a multi-state restaurant chain.
Litigated numerous claims brought under state Workers’ Compensation Acts and Longshore and Harborworkers’ Compensation Act on behalf of employers.
Defended phishing and cyber scamming claims brought against foreign-based importer.
Prosecuted corporate eviction actions and breach of contract claims stemming from product licensing dispute.