Michael E. Kramer

Michael E. Kramer is Of Counsel with Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP and has devoted his 40-year career to representing unions, workers, and educators in civil rights, labor, and employment cases. His practice includes employment discrimination, whistleblower actions, workers’ compensation, constitutional claims, public pension disputes, and class actions. He has litigated in federal and state courts, arbitrations, and administrative hearings, securing numerous precedent-setting victories before the Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

Michael earned his B.A. from Oberlin College in 1976 and his J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law in 1980, where he served as an editor of the law review. In 1990, he expanded his expertise with an Executive MBA from Emory University, graduating with Beta Gamma Sigma honors. His blend of legal and business training allows him to provide both strategic and practical guidance to his clients.

Michael has represented major labor organizations, including the Teamsters, SEIU, IATSE, AFTRA, and the Georgia Association of Educators. For 15 years, he served as General Counsel to GAE, where he handled many of the state’s leading appellate education cases. His achievements include blocking unconstitutional drug testing of public employees, strengthening due process rights, and drafting the 2003 amendments to the Georgia Whistleblower Act that significantly expanded protections for state and school employees. He also represented principals in the nationally covered Atlanta Public Schools “Test Cheating” case, securing reinstatements, retirements with full benefits, and protection of professional licenses.

In addition to litigation, Michael E. Kramer has negotiated collective bargaining agreements that delivered unprecedented gains for union members. He continues to represent injured workers and public employees in compensation and disciplinary matters. His long-standing commitment to advocacy is further reflected in his service with nonprofit organizations such as GreenLaw and Power the Vote.

Law Office Affiliations

• Of Counsel, Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP
• Member, State Bar of Georgia

Licensed State

• Georgia

Education

• University of California at Davis Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Emory University
  Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Oberlin College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges