Michael J. Ernst

Michael Ernst is SCE Law's Managing Partner and heads the firm's Business Law/Litigation and Employment Law/Litigation practice groups. Mr. Ernst's business practice includes business law and litigation, business disputes, banking litigation, workouts, fraud, business torts, contract disputes, business advice, financial services litigation, commercial transactions and other business matters. His employment practice includes employment law and litigation, defense of federal Title VII / Age Discrimination / Wage & Hour cases, and employment advice, as well as defense of state wrongful discharge cases and restrictive covenant litigation. He is an experienced litigator who represents business clients throughout the United States before trial and appellate courts in both state and federal court. Mr. Ernst celebrated his 35th Anniversary in the active practice of law in 2022. Mr. Ernst is a frequent speaker on business law, banking law, employment law, and trial law topics, and is a member of the American Bar Association Advisory Panel. He is active in a number of legal industry, banking industry, and collection industry associations. Mr. Ernst is involved with charitable and community organizations in various capacities -- as a leader, a “pro bono” provider of legal services, and a hands-on volunteer. He is rated “AV® Preeminent®” by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating given by the legal industry's premier peer-review rating system. Mr. Ernst has also been recognized as: one of "The Best Lawyers in America®" by Best Lawyers® in the area of employment law (management), a distinction given to the top 5% of lawyers in America; a “Super Lawyer®” by Georgia Super Lawyers Magazine / Atlanta Magazine / Atlanta Business Chronicle in the area of business litigation; one of “Georgia's Legal Elite: The State's Most Effective Lawyers” by Georgia Trend Magazine in the areas of both business litigation and labor and employment law; and a Top Rated Lawyer by both ALM® and Avvo®.