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 why is my family and my love for entrepreneurship. I was blessed with excellent mentors early in my career that were not afraid of throwing me into the deep end on difficult cases. My legal skills developed quickly, and I truly love practicing law. It has been a rewarding profession, especially as I have grown closer to my clients. I encourage others to consider becoming a lawyer.
I started Michael Johnson Legal because I want to help small business owners and managers operate more efficiently. I wanted to get closer to my clients by representing more small businesses. It is challenging to develop personal relationships when representing the largest insurers and Fortune 500 companies. Large companies sometimes view their lawyers as legal vendors, impersonal arms-length contractors. I do not like that. It can be challenging to build valuable business relationships based on personal service when the company is that large. Making a difference with small businesses has been a particularly rewarding way to practice law.
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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. In my spare time, I chase my toddler son, Trey, and spend quality time with my wife, Dr. Allyson Darga. She is a Homestead High and Badger alum, and psychiatrist with ThedaCare. We met and fell in love in New Orleans but decided to return to Wisconsin after her residency to make Cedarburg our home.
When I am not geeking out on legal issues, I love playing tennis, paddle, and golf. I played the lower levels of professional tennis for a couple years after high school, competed in at least 26 countries, and represented the United States in international team competition. I then returned to college, 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. I love teaching and mentoring junior tennis players. I recently picked up platform tennis (“paddle”) and I am hooked!
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.