Michael W Johnson
Cook Brooks Johnson PLLC
512.381-3003 Direct
512.381-3010 Fax
mjohnson(at)cbjlawfirm.com
Michael Johnson’s practice primarily involves representing individuals and families in connection with their domestic and international tax, estate planning, and asset protection needs. In addition to his U.S. estate planning practice, he designs and implements strategies to address cross-border estate and tax planning for multinational families with U.S. investments or beneficiaries. He also represents both individuals and fiduciaries with regard to the administration of foreign and domestic trusts and decedents’ estates.
Unique Lawyer Experience
- Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Recent Representative Experience
- Advises clients on the design and implementation of core estate planning documents, including wills, revocable trusts and powers of attorney.
- Designs advanced estate planning vehicles, including trusts for various purposes.
- Represents executors and trustees in the administration of trusts and estates.
- Designs succession plans for closely held businesses. Designs plans to protect personal and family assets.
- Consults with international clients on US tax and estate planning issues.
- Advises international clients regarding ownership structures for US real property and other US assets.
Education
University of Texas School of Law
- J.D. 2003
Baylor University
- M.A., Philosophy 1998
Hardin-Simmons University
- B.A., Philosophy 1996
Professional Involvement
- Member of the State Bar of Texas (Tax and Real Estate, Estate, Probate & Trust Law Sections)
- Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
- Member of the Austin Tax Study Group
Awards & Recognition
- Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Admitted to Practice
- Texas, 2003
Publications and Presentations
- Panelist, “The Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning and Probate,” State Bar of Texas Advanced Estate Planning Course (2008).
- Author, “International Estate Planning for Individuals with U.S. Ties,” International Bar Association Young Lawyers Committee Newsletter (Sept. 2007).
- Presenter, “Transfer Tax Regime for Tax Avoidance Expatriates,” Austin Tax Study Group (2006).
- Co-Author, “Lazarus is Dead Again: Asset Protection/Pre-Bankruptcy Planning,” 12th Annual Advanced Planning Strategies Course (TexasBarCLE, Santa Fe 2006).
- Co-Author, “Asset Protection Planning After the Bankruptcy Act,” 68 Texas Bar Journal, 1006 (2005).
- Co-Author, “Wealth Protection Planning Under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005,” 30 Tax Mgmt, Est., Gift & Tr J., 269 (2005).
- Co-Author, “Potential Effects of Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act on Asset Protection Planning,” Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Newsletter #67.
- Co-Author, “The Weese Litigation Solvency Defense Under the Cook Islands International Trusts Act,” Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Newsletter #37.
- Co-Author, “The Influence of Spanish and Mexican Laws on the Property and Probate Laws of Texas,” The International Academy of Estate and Trust Law, Santiago, Chile (2003).
