Michael Johnson – Bio – (D-GA-5)

Aug 1, 2011 by Editor Fred D

Michael Johnson Congressional Candidate Georgia District 5

Michael Johnson Biography from House.gov

Biography of Hank Johnson

Biography from Michael Johnson for Congress, Inc.

MichaeI was born here in the 5th district on June 21, 1968, to Miller Johnson, Jr. and Charlotte Mize Johnson. His father graduated from Turner High School and Morehouse College and his mother graduated from Howard High School and Spelman College.

MichaeI began his educational journey at Walter F. White Elementary School and later, Westwood High School (now known as Westlake High School). While at Westwood he was elected to serve as a senior class officer and played football and basketball; further, he was an honor roll student and was active in several school organizations. After graduating high school MichaeI enrolled at Morehouse College in 1986, having received a four year academic scholarship; four years later he graduated in the top ten percent of his class with a degree in banking and finance. While at Morehouse College Michael was elected Vice-President of his graduating class and was selected as a member of the prestigious annual Morehouse College Spring Tour to Egypt. After matriculating through Morehouse College Michael enrolled at Syracuse University College of Law in 1990 and also studied abroad at Oxford University. While at Syracuse Michael was a member of the Moot Court team and served as an Executive Board member of the Moot Court Society; he was also a class Senator. After graduating from Syracuse University College of Law in 1993 Michael returned home to embark upon the incredible journey that has brought him to this moment in time.

Yet, Michael’s story would not be complete if there was no mention of one of the more meaningful moments in his life. Along his journey, he was fortunate enough to meet and later marry, in June of 1999, Alison Holmes, daughter of the late Dr. Hamilton E. Holmes and Marilyn Vincent Holmes. From their marriage they have been blessed with two wonderful children: Michael Christian and Katherine Elizabeth.

MichaeI looks forward to speaking with you and sharing his vision as he walks through your neighborhoods, visits your churches, attends community meetings and participates in speaking engagements and debates. He’ll see you on the campaign trail.

Michael’s Educational and Professional Biography

I graduated from Morehouse College in 1990 with a banking/finance degree and Syracuse University College of Law in 1993 with a Juris Doctorate degree; I also studied abroad at Oxford University in 1991. After completing my graduate studies I returned home to Atlanta and began my professional career. These are a few of the highpoints:

• Georgia State Court of Appeals (law clerk for Judge Clarence Cooper)
• Two stints in private practice with the law firms of Mack, Williams, Haygood & McLean and Webb, Carlock, Copeland, Semler & Stair (now known as Carlock, Copeland & Stair) where I practiced labor and employment law and insurance defense respectively
• More than seven years as a prosecutor for the DeKalb County Solicitor’s Office, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office and the State Attorney General’s Office (appointed special federal prosecutor for the Southern District of Georgia)
• Lastly, I served nearly seven years as a judge on the Fulton County Superior Court where I presided over thousands of civil and felony criminal matters including several high profile noteworthy cases: Thurbert Baker v. Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Inc., et. al., relating to revealing the bid proposals for the 2009 NASCAR Hall of Fame and the 2009 Super Bowl; The State of Georgia v. Arthur Tesler, which involved the murder of Kathryn Johnston; and Southern Center for Human Rights v. The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDOC) which concerned an action seeking to enjoin the execution of Emanuel Hammond, who was convicted of the 1988 murder of Julie Love

In addition to my professional accomplishments I have served in numerous leadership roles such as Chair of the City of Atlanta Board of Ethics where I helped steward and implement some of the toughest ethics legislation in the city’s history as well as appoint the city’s first ethics officer. I also served as a board member of the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution and I currently serve as Vice-President of Flight Buddies, Inc., (a non-profit organization dedicated to introducing kids to the field of aviation). I was recognized by the Fulton Daily Report in 2004 as an “On the Rise” lawyer and I am a member of numerous organizations including: 2012 Class of Leadership Atlanta, State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta Bar Association (Former Litigation Board Member), the National Bar Association, the Lawyers Club of Atlanta, Inc. and Gate City Bar Association (Formerly of the Executive Board). I have also volunteered as a little league coach and R.E.A.L. Men Reading Program (Atlanta Public School System) mentor.

Do you know where you still on the political spectrum? See “Political Beliefs, Where Are You” to find out where you stand.