Michael W. Johnston

The majority of Mr. Johnston’s cases involve civil commercial matters representing insurance companies in first party and third party disputes and large subrogation cases.  However, he represents individuals, self-insureds, lenders, corporations and institutional clients in large personal injury, commercial, products liability, consumer and probate cases.

Since beginning his practice, Mr. Johnston has been the first chair attorney in over 75 jury trials.  In addition, he has tried numerous non-jury trials, argued significant cases on appeal, presented zoning cases and tried matters in the Federal Administrative Courts and before the Texas Department of Insurance.


 
Experience
Mr. Johnston began his practice in March of 1980 as an associate in a well-known Fort Worth law firm. He was made partner after less than three years of practice.  He was a shareholder/partner in several major law firms prior to opening his small firm practice.
Certifications
Board Certified Civil Trial Law
 Texas Board of Legal Specialization
National Board of Trial Advocacy 
Board Certified Consumer and Commercial Law
 Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Preeminent AV Rated Attorney
Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory
Approved Level II Arbitrator
 American Arbitration Association
Approved Attorney
 AARP Legal Network
Certified Mediator
Recommended Insurance Attorney
 A.M. BEST
Certified Arbitrator
 Texas Residential Construction Commission
Registered Arbitrator
National Arbitration Forum

Licenses

  • State Bar of Texas-May 26, 1980

  • State Bar of Oklahoma- 2008

  • United States District Courts for the Northern District of Texas –June 20, 1980

  • United States Court of Claims-October 6, 1981

  • United States Supreme Court-May, 1988

  • United States District Courts for the Southern District of Texas-June 2, 1988

  • United States District Courts for the Western District of Texas-August 29, 1989

  • United States Court of Appeals-Fifth Circuit-April 13, 1998

  • United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Texas-November 15, 2002

Professional Associations:

  • State Bar of Texas-litigation section

  • Tarrant County Bar Association

  • Tarrant County Civil Trial Lawyers Assn.

  • Dallas County Bar Association

  • Legal Network for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

  • College of the State Bar of Texas

  • National Association of Fire Investigators

  • Defense Research Institute

  • Baylor Law Review Association

  • Texas Advisory Counsel of Arson

  • AARP Legal Services Network

  • American Arbitration Association

  • Affiliate Member of Property Loss Research Bureau

  • Strafford Insurance Law Advisory Board Member for the Texas Insurance Law & Litigation Alert Newsletter

  • Jewelers Security Alliance Member

  • Texas Residential Construction Commission

  • American Bar Association Advisory Panel

  • Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation

  • Litigation Council of America

  • State Bar of Oklahoma

Honors and Recognitions

Designated as a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly. The top 5 percent of Texas lawyers are selected as Super Lawyers.  Special designation as one of the top insurance lawyers.

Designated as a Top Attorney in Houston by H Texas Magazine. Only 3 percent of all of the practicing attorneys have been designated as top Houston attorneys. 

Designated as a Top Lawyer for the People by H Texas Magazine.

Designated as an Attorney of Excellence by the Fort Worth Business Press - Top 100 attorneys in Tarrant County.

Recognized by Fort Worth Magazine as the best lawyer in Tarrant County in the fields of Insurance Law,  Consumer Law, and Business/Commercial Litigation.

Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory designation as a preeminent lawyer

Represented the prevailing party in Bien v. Grubbs Nissan, et al which was recognized by The Texas Lawyer as one of the most significant cases tried in Texas.

Represented the prevailing party in Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company v. Gerard which was recognized by the National Law Journal as a case of national importance.

Who’s Who in American Law (10th Edition, 11th Edition and 12 Edition)

Citizen Advisor to Texas House Representative Lon Burnam on insurance matters

Texas Wesleyan School of Law former Adjunct Professor of Insurance Law

Education

Baylor Law School, J.D., 1980

    Honors include:

  • Associate Editor of the Baylor Law Review    

  • Practice Court Finalist

  • Full Academic Scholarship

Trinity University, B.A., 1977

    Honors include:

  • Academic Scholarship

  • Graduated Cum Laude

 

 

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