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. Michelle has obtained several million dollar jury verdicts for clients. Michelle is a regular public speaker on behalf of various continuing legal and human resource management organizations such as for 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.

​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 enabling them to advertise they have met the objective and rigorous standards approved by the U.S. Supreme Court and the American Bar Association.

​Michelle has received recognition as a “Super Lawyer” through the Super Lawyers peer-reviewed based company, as well as having received outstanding ratings through AVVO, a peer review organization, for her skills in employment law and civil rights law.

​After serving a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Steven Z. Kleiner, J.S.C. in the Superior Court of New Jersey, she began a career as an employment trial lawyer. She has represented businesses, public entities, public officials as well as having represented victims who have been discriminated against on account of their sex, race, age, physical handicap or sexual orientation. The greatest achievements in her career 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; Michelle served as a member of STARS (Sisters Together Against Racism); and is an activist for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

​Education

• DELAWARE LAW SCHOOL, WIDENER UNIVERSITY, Juris Doctor, 1988

• STOCKTON UNIVERSITY, Computer Science Studies, continuing

• KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY, B.S., Political Science, 1983

​Activities & Affiliations

• 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

​Bar Admissions

• New Jersey, Third Circuit, United States Supreme Court

Burnham Douglass

Burnham Douglass opened its doors in 2019. Since then, they’ve received favorable jury verdicts, resolved complicated workplace matters and fought against and for some of the most powerful political figures in South Jersey. Phil has a down to earth, honest and practical approach which has earned him an outstanding reputation among his clients, peers and the judiciary. Michelle brings an exceptional level of enthusiasm, intellect, strategic savvy, dedication, and nuanced perspective that makes their firm the best for creative and successful solutions for clients.