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they have been beaten up and torn apart,” Braun says. “Trials are
the fun part of my job, but if I can get a fair settlement for my
client, I’m always happy for them. It’s also why I love contingency
fees. I have every incentive in the world to help my clients get as
much as possible.”
Braun tries about six or seven cases a year, each
requiring at least a year of preparation. Besides
looking at the case itself, Braun looks for fair judges,
“those who are knowledgeable about the law.”
Braun says there are two kinds of personal injury cases.
There are rear-end accidents, where it is generally pretty easy
to prove liability, and “the only question is the amount of compensation.
But those cases don’t tend to be as challenging. The
ones that I truly enjoy are the ones where things are not as clear,
and you really have to investigate, in order to put the pieces of
the puzzle together,” he says. “The more challenging, the more
enjoyable. There is also a tremendous amount of satisfaction
when I am able to help someone that has been told they don’t
have a case.” Braun noted that the Defendants in both the trip
and fall verdict and the tractor trailer settlement denied liability,
right up until the moment that they couldn’t. “In both
cases my clients had to fight hard, and endure a lot, to get the
compensation that they deserved. I was thrilled that I was able
to help them achieve that.”
Braun tries about six or seven cases a year, each requiring
at least a year of preparation. Besides looking at the case itself,
Braun looks for fair judges, “those who are knowledgeable about
the law.” Choosing juries varies depending on the county where
the case is tried. “You have to look at where you are trying the
case because it also determines how you try it,” says the attorney
who has gone to trial in more than 100 personal injury cases
around Georgia.
Throughout his career, Braun has worked at large and small law
firms, sometimes with partners. But since the first of the year, he’s a
sole practitioner. “I always vacillate about bringing in an associate,
but I like doing the work. I like seeing the clients myself and I like
the flexibility.” And he points out, “Personal injury is one of the few
areas of law where you can be on your own.”
However, Braun explains that he essentially fell into personal
injury law. While he was in law school, he worked during the day
and took classes at night. “That’s where I got my work ethic,” he
says now. During his third year, he worked for a personal injury
firm. “I ended up working there for four years. But I realized that
I didn’t want to be a volume lawyer. I wanted to be a litigator and
that firm didn’t do litigation. That’s what first forced me to go out
on my own.”
The downside of being on his own is having to handle the
details of a business. “Being a businessman is the worst part of
being a sole practitioner. I hate paying bills and figuring out the
phone systems,” he says. “I don’t like dealing with employee issues,
although I love my staff now.”
Admitted to practice in the State of Georgia, the U.S. District
Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court,
Braun is a certified civil trial lawyer through the National Board
of Trial Advocacy and has been a guest lecturer focusing on
the topics of trials and depositions. In addition, he has been
selected by his peers as a Super Lawyer, as recognized by Atlanta
Magazine.
When he’s not at work, the father of three is involved with
his religious congregation as well as high school football. His
eldest daughter “is very vocal about her politics. She talks
about wanting to change things. We suggest politics or law,
but the first step in any case, should be law,” he says, totally
supportive of her following in his legal footsteps.
“I’m one of the fortunate few who truly loves my work. I
like coming to work,” says the New Orleans native. “I like
all my cases. I truly care about my clients and I like to think
I’m stupid enough to attack any challenge. I take on cases
I probably shouldn’t, if you look at the hourly basis. Some
I lose money on. But people need their day in court. They
need representation.”
AT A GLANCE
Firm Name
Law Office of Michael R. Braun. PC
3225 Shallowford Rd., Ste. 500,
Marietta, Georgia 30062
Phone – (770) 421-6888
www.GeorgiaInjury.com
Founder
Michael R. Braun, 1997
Firm Composition
1 Partner
Staff
Alexandra Feldman
Samantha Grant
Megan Brennan
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
Community/Civic Involvement
Sponsor Pope High School Athletics;
a variety of local charities
Awards
AV rated; Georgia Super Lawyer
VOL. 6 ISSUE 1 ATLANTA ATTORNEY MAGAZINE | 13