- Profile
- Credentials
- Associations
Of Counsel
Michelle was born the eldest of three daughters in a working-class home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She, like most others, has encountered hardships and setbacks but never forgets that mistakes, suffering and pain can be overcome by hard work and courage to move forward with positive determination. In the practice of law, she has dedicated her career to helping people fight for justice, having learned that nothing worthwhile comes without sacrifice, self-discipline and courage.
Michelle has been recognized by various publications and rated highly by a number of lawyer rating services. She has litigated thousands of cases in state, federal and administrative courts. To date, she has obtained several million-dollar jury verdicts for clients. She is also a regular public speaker on behalf of various continuing legal and human resource management organizations, such as the National Business Institute, Association of Trial Lawyers-NJ, the New Jersey Continuing Legal Education Institute, the Human Resources Summit, the Atlantic Cape Community College and the Rutgers University Cooperative Extension program.
Professional History
After serving a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Steven Z. Kleiner, J.S.C. in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Michelle began a career as an employment trial lawyer. She has represented businesses, public entities, and public officials alike. She has also represented victims who were discriminated against on account of their sex, race, age, physical handicap or sexual orientation.
The greatest achievements in her career to date are the numerous battles inside and outside the courtroom combating injustice and winning new rights, especially for women and minorities. As a result of her success, Michelle has been sought out to defend employers, lawyers, doctors, politicians, public employees and people from all walks of life to protect their interests in matters of employment and civil rights law.
Michelle has a long history of commitment to helping others achieve justice and positive civil rights status through the legal system, and socially in community settings. She has served as pro bono counsel for the NAACP-Mainland/Pleasantville Branch; as the public policy Chairperson for the Association of American University Women (AAUW), Atlantic County, NJ branch; she is the founder and former Director of TechTrek/NJ, a girl’s STEM camp hosted at Stockton University; she is the founder and current Director of the Girls Can Club of Atlantic County, NJ, a not-for-profit organization designed to empower girls in the fields of language, technology and public policy; she has served as a member of STARS (Sisters Together Against Racism); and she is an activist for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Awards and Accolades
She is Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney, a designation granted by the New Jersey Supreme Court to attorneys who are able to demonstrate efficient levels of experience, education, knowledge and skill in civil trial practice. Less than 2% of attorneys have the honor of this accreditation, thus allowing them to advertise that they have met the objective and rigorous standards approved by the U.S. Supreme Court and the American Bar Association.
Michelle has received recognition on the Super Lawyers list, which is generated based on peer reviews and an extensive review process.
*No aspect of this communication has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. For more information about the National Association of Distinguished Counsel selection process, click here or Super Lawyers process, click here.
Education
- Kutztown University B.S., Political Science, 1983 – University
- Stockton University Computer Science Studies, Continuing – University
- Delaware Law School, Widener University Juris Doctor, 1988 – University
Licenses
- New Jersey, Third Circuit, United States Supreme Court
Memberships
- National Association of Employment Lawyers-NJ, Member
- Society for Human Resource Management, Member
- American Association of University Women-NJ, Member, Past Public Policy Chair
- American Civil Liberties Union, Member
- American Trial Lawyers Association-NJ, Past Parliamentarian
- Tech Trek-NJ, Past Director
- Girls Can Club, Non-Profit Organization, Founder, Director
- Douglass Employment Practices, LLC-Florida Employment & HR Consulting, Owner
What Sets Our Firm Apart?
The Difference is Clear-
Care
We approach each client with compassion, empathy and care.
-
Experience
We have an in-depth understanding of the law and how it relates to your unique case.
-
Personal Attention
We will provide you with the personal attention your case deserves.
-
Flexible
We offer video, after hour and weekend appointments for your convenience.
-
High-Quality Representation
We deliver high-quality legal work because we handle select cases.
-
Dedication
We have been serving the needs of our clients for over 30 years and are dedicated to your success.
The Stories That Matter
See What Our Valued Clients Have to Say
-
I am forever thankful for the legal help Ms. Michelle and Mr. Burnham did for my case.
“I am forever thankful for the legal help Ms. Michelle and Mr. Burnham did for my case. They brought light to a pregnancy discrimination case that could have been rejected by another legal team. Both, ...”
- Samantha V. -
Michelle and Phil are excellent attorneys.
“Michelle and Phil are excellent attorneys. They take the time to listen, and it is evident that they truly care about their clients. They are very knowledgeable in their practice areas. I felt that I ...”
- Paige B. -
I am forever thankful for the legal help Ms. Michelle and Mr. Burnham did for my case.
“I am forever thankful for the legal help Ms. Michelle and Mr. Burnham did for my case. They brought light to a pregnancy discrimination case that could have been rejected by another legal team. Both, ...”
- S.V. -
I could not have been more pleased with the firm or our result.
“From the first meeting with Michelle Douglass and Philip Burnham, I knew they were the skilled lawyers I needed. After a bad employment experience, I felt betrayed and hurt but Michelle, Phil, ...”
- Michelle M.C. -
Both Michelle and Phil made me feel like I was a family member they were representing.
“This testimonial will be the most honest you have ever read. My journey is incredible..my case was actually dismissed in summary judgment due to fact I had incompetent counsel previously. Michelle ...”
- Robert K. Petroski -
After meeting Michelle, she gave me the confidence I needed to fight for what I deserved.
“When I first met Michelle, I had so many fears about filing a lawsuit. I was afraid of actually filing against Atlantic City Board of Education simply because what I had gone through was torture. I ...”
- Maria Marino -
I never knew compassion, value and honesty could exist in an attorney until I met Philip.
“I'm hoping there's enough space to comment on my experience with Philip as he assisted me on a very personal matter... I was recommended by two different sources, so I hoped & prayed this would be my ...”
- Dan -
She was always very prompt in her follow-up and developed a winning strategy for me.
“I am very grateful Mrs. Michelle J. Douglass took my case. You demonstrated to me great expertise. She was always very prompt in her follow-up and developed a winning strategy for me. Working with ...”
- James Runyon -
Michelle Douglass is a straight shooter and fights for your rights.
“The firm handled my case in a dedicated and professional manner. Michelle Douglass is a straight shooter and fights for your rights. Her tenaciousness and no nonsense approach quickly set the tone and ...”
- Dave Daniels -
Phil's service exceeded my expectations and I found him to be more responsive and sensitive to my situation than the previous lawyer I had used.
“Phil Burnham is an excellent divorce lawyer! Phil's service exceeded my expectations and I found him to be more responsive and sensitive to my situation than the previous lawyer I had used. He was ...”
- Abby
