As more and more women break barriers and make significant strides in various fields, the legal profession is no exception. Women lawyers are now more visible than ever and leave their mark on the legal industry. These women are breaking through the glass ceiling and paving the way for younger generations of women to follow in their footsteps.
Michelle Bohreer, the Managing Member at Bohreer Law Firm PLLC, is a force to be reckoned with in the legal industry. Her passion for law and accounting has made her a formidable figure in the business world, especially in employment and business matters. With years of experience navigating complex legal matters, Michelle has established herself as a go-to legal expert for businesses seeking legal representation. Her dedication to helping others and her outstanding legal skills make her one of the most prominent women lawyers to watch out for in the legal industry.
Passion for Helping
Michelle has always been drawn toward the intersection of law and accounting. Her passion for helping others has fueled her journey in this field, especially in helping clients navigate the complexities of employment and business matters that every business potentially faces. She has extensive experience as a trial lawyer and has seen firsthand what can go wrong with a client’s business. This has uniquely positioned her to help clients prevent business and employment disputes by setting up proactive and preventative measures to minimize future issues and concerns. She takes great pride in becoming a strategic partner for businesses of all sizes, from entrepreneurs starting their businesses to Fortune 100 companies.
Michelle says, “I work with some of the tremendous people and companies in the world. I enjoy helping businesses grow and prosper by assisting them in ways to avoid so many of the possible pitfalls involved in commercial and employment matters.” She is committed to providing effective and zealous representation for her clients if issues arise. Her dedication to her work and clients has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and advocate. Her expertise in law and accounting and her passion for helping others make her a valuable asset to any business looking to navigate the complexities of employment and business matters.
Professional Background
Michelle is also the founder and managing partner of a woman-owned boutique firm that specializes in employment defense and commercial litigation. Her professional journey began after obtaining a license as a certified public accountant in Texas in 1986, after completing her Bachelor of Business Administration, magna cum laude, at the University of Houston in 1984.
Before attending law school, Michelle practiced public accounting for Arthur Andersen, one of the Big Eight accounting firms. She later graduated cum laude and Order of the Coif with a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1989 and was admitted to practice law in Texas in 1990 and Colorado in 1997. Michelle has been committed to creating a women-owned law firm focusing on personal service since the beginning of her legal career. She achieved this goal in the fall of 2019 when she founded Bohreer Law Firm.
Michelle has received numerous accolades for her accomplishments within the legal industry. These include a 10/10 rating through AVVO, an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell, and recognition as one of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women by Houston Woman Magazine. She has also been named a Texas Super Lawyer for over 15 years.
She received Litigator of the Year and Best Trial Lawyer in America for Employment Law awards from the American Institute of Trial Lawyers and the National Institute of Trial Lawyers, respectively. Additionally, she has been named one of the Top 100 Employment Lawyers by the American Academy of Attorneys, Women Leaders in Law by The American Lawyer Magazine, Best Lawyers in Texas for two years, and America’s Most Honored Lawyers by The American Registry.
Michelle credits her success to her commitment to being present, available, and very responsive to the needs of her clients. Her dedication to personal service and expertise in employment defense and commercial litigation has made her a trusted advisor and advocate for her clients.
Initial Difficulties
In the early years of her legal career, Michelle faced various challenges, including being the only female lawyer in the office. She had to overcome gender stereotypes in what was perceived as a “man’s world” and persistently worked towards becoming a partner in multiple law firms.
She also faced the double standard women face, where being aggressive and confident is often labeled as a “Bitch,” while men exhibiting similar qualities are seen as assertive leaders. Despite these challenges, Michelle has always been dedicated to mentoring and helping female lawyers grow professionally, recognizing the need for more women in the legal field.
She firmly believes that it is essential for women to support each other personally and professionally, and she has made herself available to assist other women in the legal profession. Her efforts in empowering and uplifting women have earned her respect and admiration from her colleagues and peers.
Expertise & Future Plans
With more than 30 years of experience in business, employment negotiations, and litigation, Michelle is a highly regarded attorney who brings a unique perspective to her legal practice. She approaches her role as a counselor and strategic partner to her clients first, intending to avoid litigation through proactive efforts.
Michelle actively assists her clients with developing and implementing appropriate employment policies and procedures, and frequently advises entities that are restructuring their businesses. She is also well-versed in federal and state employment laws and offers training programs to assist her clients in meeting ongoing compliance challenges.
Michelle takes pride in providing personal service to each of her clients and aims to grow her firm over the next five years to serve a broader range of clients better. She also continues to mentor and assist female lawyers in their professional growth, recognizing the importance of lifting each other in the industry. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Michelle is poised to continue significantly impacting the legal field for years.
Powerhouse CPA And Lawyer
Michelle’s unique set of skills has been a great advantage for her clients. Michelle’s background in accounting has taught her how to read and analyze a company’s books and records, giving her a better understanding of their priorities, spending habits, and overall financial health. With a strong foundation in accounting and law, Michelle can offer her clients comprehensive legal advice while understanding the financial impact it can have on their business. This allows her to help businesses plan strategically by providing insights on structuring their business for financial growth while complying with all relevant regulations and laws.
Michelle’s expertise in law and finance allows her to identify and proactively address potential legal and financial issues for her clients. Her unique perspective helps clients make more informed decisions and achieve greater success by covering all their bases. Michelle believes in keeping her clients informed of legal changes to avoid costly mistakes and is dedicated to providing the best possible service.
Giving it Back to the Community
Michelle is a person who strongly believes in giving back to her community. She is guided by the philosophy “To whom much is given, much is expected” and is dedicated to her work and community. As well as managing her law firm, Michelle serves as the chair of the KNOWAutism Foundation, an organization focused on educating the public about autism and providing resources for families affected by it.
Michelle is also heavily involved with Rotary International. She serves as Past District Governor of Rotary District 5890, which has 63 Rotary clubs in the greater Houston area and is a member of the Rotary Club of Houston Skyline. Michelle’s involvement with Rotary has significantly impacted her life. She was even awarded the highest individual honor from Rotary International, the Service Above Self Award, in 2017 for her contributions to the community and the world.
Aside from Rotary, Michelle also volunteers her time and expertise as an advisor for the HUB Houston and H.E.A.R.T. Program. She has volunteered with the American Cancer Society and was the first woman to serve as the chair of a national football award, the Rotary Lombardi Award. Michelle’s dedication to giving back to her community is evident in her many volunteer roles and her commitment to making a positive impact on those around her.
Balancing Work, Life, and Community Service
Michelle is a firm believer in social responsibility. She sees it as an obligation to give back to the community that has given her so much. Her guiding philosophy is “To whom much is given, much is expected.” She actively and intentionally serves her community and the world despite her busy work schedule. She feels that serving honestly and with integrity is key to gaining the trust of others, and she makes an effort to get to know people who share her values. Michelle believes that people are more likely to support businesses or individuals that give back and support their community.
For Michelle, Rotary has been a source of blessings beyond measure. She believes that giving back, serving others, and focusing on something larger than oneself are one of the best ways to stay positive and hopeful, even in difficult times. She encourages everyone to get involved in their neighborhood and make a difference.
Parenting a Child with Autism
Michelle Bohreer understands parents’ challenges when balancing work and life while raising a child with Autism. She believes one way to make it easier is to be open about their child’s condition so people understand how to prioritize their time. Michelle advises parents to embrace their children’s strengths and expose them to the business world as much as possible.
She understands that parents may be hesitant to label their children as different, but she believes that every exposure will significantly impact the child and the parent. She encourages parents to do the same and to find joy in their children’s unique qualities.
Perspective on the Legal Sector and Legal Tech
Michelle has a unique perspective on the legal sector’s challenges and opportunities today. One major challenge she sees is the ever-mounting legal fees companies face as the number of lawsuits does not decrease. Employers must work with their clients to prevent lawsuits rather than simply defending them.
Regarding the emerging trend of Legal Tech, Michelle believes that a balance must exist. Legal Tech can help lawyers be more efficient and effective, giving more time to focus on providing quality service to their clients. However, She also emphasizes the importance of personal relationships between lawyers and their clients. In-person face-to-face meetings help develop trust, which is critical between a lawyer and a client.
Lessons Learned
Throughout her career, Michelle Bohreer has been inspired by a variety of people. Her greatest source of inspiration in the last 20 years has been her son, Luke, who is on the autism spectrum. She considers him a hero and believes Luke has taught her to see differences as strengths and always focus on the positive. She has also been inspired by powerful women in the field of law, including Barbara Jordan and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has encouraged her to believe that anything is possible.
Reflecting on her journey, Michelle Bohreer has valuable advice for her younger self. She advises against siloing life and encourages finding ways to blend personal and work life. She believes it’s important to bring family and children along when entertaining clients so that one does not have to choose between them. To achieve a work-life balance, she emphasizes the need to set boundaries at home, such as setting hours for work and personal time, learning to say “no,” and adopting ways to reduce stress.
More Than an Overcomer
Michelle’s day starts with quiet time to center herself, then getting her son ready and heading to work. Her day is filled with emails, client meetings, and court hearings. She often works well into the evening but still makes time for activities outside of work.
If her life story were a book, Michelle would title it “More Than an Overcomer.” This title reflects her challenges throughout her life, from growing up to entering the male-dominated legal industry and being a parent of a child with special needs. Despite these obstacles, She has always strived not just to survive but to overcome and achieve her goals. Her book would be an inspiring tale of resilience and determination, showing that anything is possible with hard work and a positive mindset.
Advice for Aspiring Lawyers
Michelle Bohreer has been practicing law for over 30 years. When asked about the advice that has impacted her leadership, she recalls a partner telling her that personal service is key to retaining clients. This advice has shaped her leadership style and has led her to prioritize understanding and meeting her client’s needs and goals.
For those who aspire to become lawyers, Michelle Bohreer suggests following their passion and not being discouraged by anyone. She advises to focus on gaining experience and studying hard in the first year to achieve a high-class rank. Rather than overly concerned with making money or getting a job at a big firm, she encourages aspiring lawyers to think long-term and focus on their ultimate goals.
Michelle Bohreer also believes that legal technology can be beneficial to lawyers, as it can improve efficiency and effectiveness. However, she emphasizes balancing technology with maintaining personal client relationships. In her view, face-to-face meetings are crucial for developing trust between lawyers and clients.
Valuable Advice
Success is not always guaranteed for any budding entrepreneur, but putting in consistent effort and staying committed to the process can significantly increase the chances of achieving desired outcomes, advises Michelle Bohreer. She emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and blending personal and work life. Moreover, she suggests setting boundaries, learning to say “no,” and not starting a business alone without the help of an employment lawyer.
As an employment lawyer, Michelle Bohreer takes preventative measures to avoid litigation when unforeseen claims arise, such as sexual harassment claims or fines and penalties due to incomplete or incorrect employment documentation. Her expertise in compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws can help entrepreneurs navigate complex and constantly changing regulations. Ultimately, Michelle believes that entrepreneurs can benefit from having a partner in an employment lawyer who can help with legal matters and prevent costly mistakes. By being proactive, entrepreneurs can focus on growing their businesses and achieving their goals.
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“Michelle’s dedication to her work and clients has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and advocate.”
