Attorney Bio

Attorney George Melville Johnson has a deep-seated interest in the nuances of federal and international law. His expertise in these areas has led to an impressive record, representing individuals, federal employees and small and medium privately held businesses in multi-jurisdictional international litigation.

Mr. Johnson combines an in-depth knowledge of the specifics of international litigation with an understanding of intercultural dynamics. He has successfully negotiated against dozens of Fortune 500 companies and brought cases before the US Supreme Court. Known for his well-reasoned arguments, he delights in turning business problems into capital opportunities. In short, Mr. Johnson combines insightful litigation strategy and ferocious trial skills with a notable depth of international arbitration, litigation and negotiation experience.

Mr. Johnson is a sought-after delegate and speaker, appearing at legal forums worldwide to address issues around international law, employment law and immigration law. Recent appearances include: The Oxford Roundtable, Oxford, England (2001); The International Employment Law Conference, Kitzbuhel, Austria (2002); Lawyering in the International Market, Valle Nevado, Chile (2002); International Distribution and Investment Law, Chile (2003); and serving as an annual delegate to the International Bar Association: Durban (2002); San Francisco (2003); Auckland (2004); Prague (2005). Singapore (2007); and Buenos Aires (2008).  Mr. Johnson also spoke on Africa and Immigration, in a shared program with the President of the United States at the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. 75th Birthday Celebration in 2004.

In addition to international litigation, employment law and related immigration issues, Mr. Johnson's practice expertise extends to general federal litigation and appellate law. He is a current or past member of the Industrial Relations Research Association; American Bar Association; Atlanta Bar Association; International Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia; Society of Human Resources Managers; National Employment Law Association; The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Charter member, Congress of Fellows, Center for International Legal Studies, Salzburg, Austria; Beta Theta Pi Fraternity; and the Phi Delta Phi Fraternity. He is admitted to the bars of Northern and Middle U.S. District Courts in Georgia, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, United States Supreme Court, Georgia Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Georgia.

Educated at Repton School, England, and The McCallie School, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mr. Johnson holds a BA from Washington & Lee University and a JD from the University of Tennessee, with additional course work at Harvard University. His languages include Latin and basic Spanish.

Mr. Johnson is founder, owner and principle of Melville Johnson, P.C., an Atlanta-based firm with an international reputation for intelligent approaches and aggressive client advocacy. The firm has a broad range of practice areas, but places particular emphasis on international and employment law.  Mr. Johnson is active is his community with a wide variety of charitable organizations, including board membership on Rhodes Hall, Atlanta,  and the Atlanta Music Club.