Bruce Johnson Partner
Bruce Johnson has been a Partner with Berg Plummer & Johnson, LLP since 2014. After beginning his legal practice in 1995, he has practiced litigation with Houston firms of differing sizes and focus. Mr. Johnson’s background is in commercial litigation, employment litigation, and insurance defense. He currently focuses his practice on business litigation, including the areas of employment, commercial disputes, and franchise and partner disputes. In addition, Mr. Johnson has an active labor practice in which he represents labor organizations along the Gulf Coast. Mr. Johnson has practiced, in addition to state courts of all levels, federal court, the Federal and Texas Courts of Appeals, and the National Labor Relations Board. Mr. Johnson has also represented clients in personal injury matters, homeowner association disputes, and advised numerous clients on non-compete agreements and severance packages. One of Mr. Johnson’s most interesting undertakings was successfully having a Texas court to declare a missing person deceased.
Mr. Johnson approaches the practice of law with an eye to finding novel and unique approaches and solutions to the problems and issues presented. Mr. Johnson also recognizes that, while trial of a case is the focus of planning and preparation, it is not always the best solution for his clients. He takes the counseling aspect of being a lawyer seriously, helping people make the best legal and financial decisions when needed. He understands legal representation is expensive and time consuming, and works to ensure his clients’ time is well spent and their budgets are worked within.
Of what it’s like to work with Bruce, his attorney peers say, “I endorse Bruce Johnson for any client looking for a lawyer to represent them zealously, ethically, and effectively in civil litigation. Bruce genuinely cares about his clients’ interests ahead of his own. He has years of experience litigating and trying cases in all of Houston’s courts – state, federal, and bankruptcy – and he has successfully briefed and argued many appeals.”
Bruce is licensed to practice in Texas, as well in the United States District Courts for the Southern District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, and Eastern District of Texas. He is also admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and obtained his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 1995.
He is a member of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit, and State Bar of Texas.
Practice Areas
- Employment Litigation
- Representation of Labor Organizations / Unions
- Commercial Litigation
Employment History
Berg Plummer & Johnson, LLP
Partner
2014 – present
The Bruce Johnson Law Firm
Owner
2006 – 2014
Cooper & Scully, P.C.
Senior Associate
2004 – 2006
Crady, Jewett & McCulley, LLP
Attorney
1999 – 2004
Barnett & Craddock, LLP
Attorney
1995 – 1999
Education
- University of Houston Law Center, Juris Doctorate, 1995
- University of Oklahoma, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, 1991
Bar and Court Admissions
- Texas, 1995
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Professional Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas
- Appellate Section
- Litigation Section
- Bankruptcy Section
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)
- Texas Employment Law, Former Editorial Advisory Board Member
- Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
Representative Matters
- The Houston Proton Therapy Ctr Houston LTD., LLP v. Estate of Dianne M. Swartz; Successfully obtained dismissal of claim in excess of $100,000.00 with Special Appearance on grounds that Texas jurisdiction over non-resident heirs violated United States Constitution due process. (Defending out of state client against claim they had not paid for cancer treatment.)
- Cornerstone Products, Inc., et al. v. Pilot Plastics, Inc., et al.; Secured ownership of molding equipment by creditor valued by debtor at $1,088,681.37 and defeated debtor claim of $514,488.82, reducing claim value to $1,487.70.
- Buc Ee’s Ltd. v. Kelley Rieves; Secured appellate victory for client after a trial court ordered former Buc Ee’s employee Kelley Rieves to pay close to $100,000 in alleged damages for breaching an employee “retention agreement.”
- Gualy v. The Source for Women of Houston, Inc.: successfully represented independent contractor seeking unpaid billings.
- International Longshoremen’s Association Local 28 and Mata: successfully defendants labor union from claim of unfair labor practices before the National Labor Relations Board Region 16. Matter was tried twice and Mr. Johnson’s client was successful on both.
- Medical Insights & Care Unlimited, L.P v. Nazareth, Rejante, and Epic Care Medical Clinic, LLC: On Mr. Johnson’s retention, Mr. Johnson was successful in obtaining a complete dismissal of all claims by the Plaintiff.
- Van Hook Trust: Mr. Johnson successfully obtained payment of over $500,000.00 in 401(k) funds that had been withheld from beneficiary by new owners of family company.
- In re Enloe: In United States Bankruptcy Court, Mr. Johnson successfully objected to a debtor’s claimed exemption, reaching funds claimed to be exempt to satisfy client’s claim against debtor.
- Quantlab Technologies, LTD. v. Godlevsky, et al: After substituting for former counsel, Mr. Johnson negotiated resolution of Plaintiffs’ claims against his client in a multi-party matter involving complex claims of misappropriation of computer code used for financial trading.
- Mr. Johnson has also represented multiple clients in negotiating and addressing non-compete and severance agreements.
Speaking Engagements
- Privileges, Advanced Evidence and Discovery, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2004
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty Under the Texas Trust Code, Texas Association of Certified Public Accountants Seminar, 2001
- Trial Lawyers Association, 2015
Community Involvement
- St. Philip Presbyterian Church
- Stewardship Committee
- Adult Education Facilitator
- Elementary Sunday School Teacher
- Personnel Committee
- Session Class of 2012
- Roberts Elementary School, H.I.S.D.
- Family Sponsor Program
- Community support for visiting families treated at MD Anderson
- Rice University
- Will Rice College Community Associate, 2004 – 2017
- Leadership 20/20, Class XV
- Houston Express Soccer Club
- Coach, Manager, and Assistant Manager, 2003 – 2017
- Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, 1984