VEN JOHNSON

For nearly 40 years, attorney Ven Johnson has fiercely advocated for victims of negligence, abuse, wrongful death, civil rights violations and cases involving governmental immunity. In both state and federal courts across Michigan and the United States, he regularly faces off against insurance giants, corporate entities and government agencies. With a remarkable track record, Ven has secured more than $500 million in jury verdicts and settlements totaling more than $1 billion.

Ven has also achieved over 30 jury verdicts exceeding $1 million, solidifying his reputation as a nationally recognized trial lawyer. Notably, his landmark victory in 2022 stands out—a $100 million verdict in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in the precedent-setting Edwards v Grubbs case. This excessive force jury verdict is the largest of its kind in U.S. history.

Beyond the courtroom, Ven is a sought-after legal authority, frequently called upon by local, regional and national media to weigh-in on high-profile, controversial and other news-making legal topics. He has been featured regularly by media outlets such as CNN, CBS News, ABC News, FOX News, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and a variety of others, offering expert commentary on high-profile legal issues and discussing his own noteworthy cases. His legal acumen and accomplishments have earned him features in national publications like Forbes, and in 2022, Ven was inducted into the Inner Circle of Advocates, an organization made up of the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in the United States.

Professional Legal Experience

• President – Ven Johnson Law, PLC.: 2011 – Present
• Partner – Fieger, Fieger, Kenney, Johnson & Girox, P.C.: 1995 – 2011
• Senior Trial Attorney – Kohl, Secrest, Wardle, Lynch, Clark & Hampton, P.C.: 1987 – 1995
• Associate Attorney – Gromek, Bendure & Thomas, 1986-1987

Education

• Kalamazoo College – Bachelor of Arts, Political Science: 1983
• University of Detroit Mercy Law School – Juris Doctor, 1986

Awards

• Inner Circle of Advocates Inductee: 2022
• Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly Hall of Fame: 2022
• “Advocate” Distinction from the American Board of Trial Advocates: 2021
• Top 50 Motor Vehicle Accident Verdicts in the U.S.: 2020
• Super Lawyers Top 100: 2016 – Present
• DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyers: 2012 – Present
• Super Lawyers: 2007 – Present

As an active supporter of the legal community, Ven is a member of numerous legal organizations, including serving as president of the Michigan Association of Justice (Michigan Trial Lawyers). He is also member of the American Association of Justice’s (U.S. Trial Lawyers) Leader’s Forum and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section, where he served as a section chairperson from 2016 to 2017. In 2017, Ven was awarded the Respected Advocate Award from the State Bar of Michigan.

Committed to the communities in which he works, Ven actively supports local organizations, including:

• Kalamazoo College
• University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
• Downtown Boxing Gym, Detroit
• Palmer Park Tennis Academy, Detroit
• USTA Boys National Championships, Kalamazoo College
• Variety Children’s Charity of Detroit