EXPERIENCEMs. Keela Johnson is an equity shareholder in our Family Law group and serves as one of the Firm’s Managing Directors. Ms. Johnson concentrates her practice in all areas of domestic relations and matters that impact the family, including high asset divorce and custody litigation. She serves as a court appointed guardian ad litem and parenting time coordinator in complex parenting time and custody matters, often in the middle of a contentious divorce. Ms. Johnson collaborates with her partners at Giarmarco, Mullins and Horton to identify and protect assets by using a team approach in the representation of clients.
Prior to practicing law, Ms. Johnson was a mental health therapist for more than seven years. This experience allows her to bring a different perspective to emotionally charged and high conflict cases. Ms. Johnson cares about her clients and their concerns about the legal process. She understands that divorce is a time of transition and strives to help her clients understand the legal process and develop a plan, not just to see their case from beginning to end but post-judgment as well. She is highly respected by her professional colleagues as well as by judges.
Ms. Johnson is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section where she was elected to serve multiple terms on the Family Law council and appointed as chair of the Guardian ad Litem sub-committee.
Ms. Johnson is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a prestigious and highly selective group of lawyers considered experts in family law. She serves on the Michigan AAML annual seminar committee.
Ms. Johnson is active in the Oakland County Bar Association, where she served as Chair of the Family Court Committee and served as a Barrister for the American Inns of Court, Oakland County Chapter. She is a Life fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation.
Ms. Johnson is a member of American Bar Association; the Macomb County Bar Association; the Genesee County Bar Association; the Wayne County Family Bar; Women Lawyers Association of Michigan; and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. Ms. Johnson also serves as a trustee for the Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce, and the Family.
Ms. Johnson graduated, summa cum laude, from Upper Iowa University. She received her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, in guidance and counseling. She earned her law degree from Western Michigan Cooley Law School where she graduated cum laude.
Speaking Engagements
•Presenter for American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys Advanced Seminar, The Fire Extinguisher: Emergency Jurisdiction & the UCCJEA, May 2024
•Presenter for State Bar of Michigan - Family Law Section, Make the GAL (Guardian ad Litem) your PAL, February 2023
•Panelist on GAL and LGAL Issues; Family Law Webinar; Sponsored by the Speaker Law Firm; December 2023
•Presenter at State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Committee, Mid-Summer Conference, 2022. “What to Expect from Your GAL and What Your GAL Should Expect from You.” Co-Presented with Andrea Badalucco
•Presenter at State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Committee, Mid-Summer Conference, 2015. ”Getting the help you Need - Choosing between a Guardian ad Litem and Parenting Time Coordinator”
•Moderator for Oakland County Bar Association Introduction to Practice Seminar, Family Law January 2014
•Participant in the Professionalism in Action New Student Orientation at WMU - Cooley Law School, focusing on the importance of ethics and professionalism in the practice of law
•Guest Lecturer at WMU - Cooley Law School
•Speaker for Oakland County Bar Association Introduction to Practice Seminar, Family Law January 2011
Honors
•Best Lawyers in America - Family Law and Family Law Mediation
•“AV” Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest ranking by peers for general ethical standards and legal ability
•dBusiness “Top Lawyer”
ARTICLES
Is There a Formula for Parenting Time?, State Bar of Michigan Bar Journal, February 2023
A Return to Civility in the Legal Profession, Oakland County Bar Association, Laches (2019)
Think about your Future before Contracting Away your Rights, Oakland County Bar
Association, Laches (2011)
The New Face in Paternity, Oakland County Bar Association, Laches (2012)
Distinctions
Peer Reviewed
“AV” Peer Review Rating
News / blog
GMH Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2026
Sep 10, 2025 Adam Levitsky, Alexander Lebedinski, Anthony Chubb, Bruce W. Haffey, Courtney Q. Moore, David Occhiuto, Donald K. Warwick, Elizabeth “Liza” Favaro, Firm News, Geoffrey S. Wagner, George A. Contis, Jared Trust, John R. Fleming, Julius H. Giarmarco, Kara S. Ferrara, Katherine Ross, Keela Johnson, Kenneth B. Chapie, LeRoy H. Wulfmeier, III, Matthew S. Weaver, News, Paul A. Thursam, Ryan L. Perry, Samantha Faulkner, Thomas P. Cavanaugh, Timothy J. Mullins, Victoria S. Lehman, William H. Heritage, III, William H. Horton
GMH Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2026GMH is proud to announce that numerous attorneys from our Troy office have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America . These honors...
26 Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers
Aug 29, 2024 Adam Levitsky, Anthony Chubb, Bruce W. Haffey, Dennis M. Rauss, Donald K. Warwick, Elizabeth “Liza” Favaro, Firm News, Geoffrey S. Wagner, George A. Contis, Jared Trust, John A. Anderson, John R. Fleming, Julius H. Giarmarco, Kara S. Ferrara, Katherine Ross, Keela Johnson, Kenneth B. Chapie, Lauren Studley, LeRoy H. Wulfmeier, III, Matthew S. Weaver, News, Paul A. Thursam, Ryan L. Perry, Thomas P. Cavanaugh, Timothy J. Mullins, Victoria S. Lehman, William H. Heritage, III, William H. Horton
26 Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers Award Recipients and Ones to Watch in America August 29, 2024 -- Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. is pleased to announce that 23 lawyers have been included in the 2025 edition of...
Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. Proudly Announces the Election of Two New Board Members by Shareholders
Apr 17, 2024 Alexander Lebedinski, Firm News, Keela Johnson, News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. Proudly Announces the Election of Two New Board Members by Shareholders Troy, MI. April 17, 2024 - Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. proudly welcomes two new members to its Board of Directors. Following a...
21 GMH Attorneys named to 2024 Best Lawyers List
Aug 29, 2023 Adam Levitsky, Bruce W. Haffey, Dennis M. Rauss, Elizabeth “Liza” Favaro, Firm News, George A. Contis, Jared Trust, John A. Anderson, John R. Fleming, Julius H. Giarmarco, Kara S. Ferrara, Keela Johnson, Lauren Studley, LeRoy H. Wulfmeier, III, Matthew S. Weaver, News, Paul A. Thursam, Ryan L. Perry, Thomas P. Cavanaugh, Timothy J. Mullins, Victoria S. Lehman, William H. Heritage, III, William H. Horton
21 Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. lawyers named to 2024 Best Lawyers list. Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, has named the following lawyers from Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton as The Best Lawyers in...
