Rod L. Johnson
Law Offices of RL Johnson
39111 W. Six Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48152
Map
Phone: (800) 597-0284 | Fax: (800) 597-0284
http://www.LawOfficeRLJohnson.com
Effective, Compassionate & Affordable Local Attorney
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
Information coming soon.
Legal Topic
Estate Planning
Preferred New Clients
Information coming soon.
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
Information coming soon.
Legal Topic
Immigration
Preferred New Clients
Information coming soon.
Bar Admissions
MI, May 2008
Bar Number: P-71654
Other Court Admissions
Michigan Supreme Court and U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Michigan.
Association Memberships
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, State Bar of Michigan
• Member, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• Registered Securities Representative, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
• Member, Michigan Association for Justice (Formerly Michigan Trial Lawyers Association)
• Member, Washtenaw Trial Lawyers Association
• Treasurer, Board of Directors, School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan
• Member, Michigan Foster Care Review Board
• Secretary, Board of Directors, Dhammasala Forest Monastery
• Holder of Dan grade registered in the Kukkiwon
• Graduate, Midwest Academy
• F&AM, Wayne Lodge No. 112
• Member Attorney Network, LawGuru.com
• Expert Attorney, JustAnswer.com
Continuing Education
I am a partner at the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education (CLE), where I regularly exceed CLE units in the disciplines of Family Law & Closely Held Business Law, Estate Planning, and Immigration Law.
Papers and Publications
• The Michigan Foster Care Review Board's Study On Court-Appointed Attorney Compensation, Michigan State Court Administrative Office, 2000
• Co-Developed: Guidelines For Achieving Permanency In Child Protective Proceedings, Children's Charter of The Courts of Michigan, 2001-2003
• Technical Consultant: The Lawyer Guardian Ad Litem Protocol, Michigan Judicial Institute, 2003
Example Cases
• Effectively litigated a contentious divorce resulting in full achievement of all of client objectives, including full physical and legal custody of the minor child.
• Assisted individuals and businesses in restructuring their debts to between 11% and 30%.
Education
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Juris Doctorate
Lansing
MI
2002
Dean's List
Litigation.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Michigan
Firm Focus and History
Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience, we are committed to helping families, small businesses, and nonprofit corporations succeed by providing the best possible legal services in a timely manner. We pay the greatest possible amount of attention to the details that support client success and satisfaction. Our focuses are:
• Family & Immigration Law
• Asset Protection & Probate
• Bankruptcy
• Small Business & Nonprofit Law
I prosecute, defend, and resolve legal disputes between parties seeking court and administrative agency judgments, declaratory relief, money damages, and/or specific performance. I represent parties in trials, hearings, arbitrations, and mediations before administrative agencies, and federal, state, and local courts. My experience includes seven years at the Michigan Supreme Court, where I served as a Deputy Division Director. While at the high court, I provided legal and regulatory oversight, statewide training, management, and technical assistance to local trial courts, attorneys, state lawmakers, local governments, and countless human service organizations. My experience gives me the ability to help families, small businesses, and nonprofit corporations in a manner that best serves each client's individual situation. I am passionate about these areas of law, which helps me to represent my clients competently and compassionately.
This law office started in 2006 as a vehicle to provide technical and financial assistance to nonprofit corporations and small businesses. However, as referrals and the scope of client need began to grow, the mission expanded to providing targeted legal services to nonprofit corporations, small businesses, and families in a manner that best serves each client's individual situation. Thus, Law Offices of R. L. Johnson is positioned to make a positive and significant impact for people in need as well as in the communities we serve.
Previous Employment Summary
In addition to serving as the CEO of the largest juvenile justice care management organization in Michigan, I successfully managed several juvenile justice and child protective programs throughout Michigan and Ohio. My statewide service includes serving as the Deputy Director of Child Welfare Services Division of the Michigan Supreme Court, where I helped develop technical manuals and reports for the Bench and the Bar. Additionally, I provided statewide training, management, technical assistance, and oversight to local trial court, state lawmakers, local governments, and countless human service organizations. I also served seven years in the United States Marines, where I volunteered for several special assignments and received numerous decorations and honors, including three honorable discharges.
Activities and Awards
I serve on numerous nonprofit and charitable boards, including:
• Dhammasala Forest Monastery
• The School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan
• The Michigan Foster Care Review Board
• Enlightened Health
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I encourage clients to use credible resources (e.g., like those Nolo provides) to educate themselves. An educated client can make informed decisions about both their legal representation and more fully assist in the prosecution, defense, or mediation of their legal claims.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am happy to review any and all documents that a client may have pertaining to their legal matter. Toward this end, I encourage clients to at all time keep good records, including a log of dates, times, and contacts.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
While I am happy to provide a free consultation, I do not believe that a non-lawyer should pursue complex litigation without an attorney.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I became a lawyer because I am committed to providing unparalleled, competent, compassionate, affordable, and timely legal representation. I believe that clients are best served when the lawyer acts as a peacemaker, ensuring that going to trial is a last resort when lesser negotiated means have failed or cannot be reasonably employed.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I spent 17 years of my career in the service of underserved, delinquent, abused, and neglected children and their families. Indeed, I continue to serve children and families as Appointed Counsel in Wayne and Washtenaw Counties. The lessons I have learned in the service of these clients make me a better and more compassionate lawyer.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Families and small businesses are the pillars of American society. Few things are more important than ensuring that these crucial institutions are strengthened and preserved.
What do you like best about your career?
The satisfaction of helping clients achieve both success and peace in their personal and business affairs.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner so clients deal directly with me. I have a wonderful receptionist in Livonia who manages the office and helps my clients feel at home. I also have an office assistant with an accounting and tax background who assists me in all my clients' accounting and bookkeeping needs.
What are your strengths and style?
I have an executive-level vision arising from nearly two dozen years of combined service to courts, government agencies, businesses, and individuals. I have been acknowledged for delivering win-win outcomes in family and corporate litigation matters. I have a history of successfully negotiating settlements based upon sound and resourceful pretrial strategies and winning dismissals in State Courts and before administrative agencies. In sum, I am an excellent advocate with outstanding communication skills.
Personal Interests:
My personal interests include my family, spirituality, volunteering in charities and organizations focused on serving the needs of children, reading, traveling, and constant and never-ending self-improvement.
Office Manager/Assistant
Panan Saikornburee
Fax
(800) 597-0284
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Japanese, Korean, and Thai.
Additional Offices
Berkeley
3233 Coolidge Hwy
Berkeley, MI 48072
(888) 443-4146
Southfield
2000 Town Center
Suite 1900
Southfield, MI 48075-1135
(888) 443-4146
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Generally, we charge a $1,500 retainer fee, which covers the first 12 hours of work and is applied against the work to be done. We will discount this amount if you mention Nolo.
Hourly Rates
$150. However, a flat rate may be available for your particular legal need.
Free Initial Consultation?
The first 30 minutes of your initial consultation is free.
Typical Retainer
A typical retainer is $1,000.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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