James R. “Jamie” Johnson

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The most satisfying workday in recent history for James R. “Jamie” Johnson didn’t take place in an office or the courtroom, but rather, at a rundown park in Mississippi.

Johnson and his wife, Jean, along with son Lukas, 17, and daughter Sarah, 16, spent their spring break on a mission trip, helping victims of Hurricane Katrina. The physical labor felt great, and reminded him of his farm upbringing. The people they helped were extremely thankful. But the best part was hearing his teenage children express empathy and gratitude for their many blessings, once again — it was the family’s second mission trip.

He has had many satisfying days for his paying job, too. Johnson, a partner with Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg p.a in its Hudson office, is a litigator who handles a wide variety of matters: fire claims, products liability, auto accidents, construction and real estate disputes, criminal defense and municipal law. Among his trial work highlights was his participation in Waters v. Pertzborn, where he convinced a trial court to bifurcate a matter on liability and damages. The issue was important enough for the Court of Appeals to take the case on interlocutory review and certify it to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Johnson became a lawyer at his mother’s urging; she began coaxing him in the direction of law or medicine while rocking him to sleep as a baby.

“I think she knew law would win out, when I became old enough to walk and talk, and was known for walking up people’s driveways, shaking their hands and talking to them,” he says with a laugh.

Then as a teenager, Johnson became fascinated with another farmer-turned attorney, Abraham Lincoln. That sealed the deal, although he did seriously consider becoming a minister; his parents also passed on to him a deep commitment to his faith.

One of Johnson’s other passions is his work as the legal moderator and host of POWER News, or People of Wisconsin Envision Results. It’s a local cable television production, which is broadcast weekly in over 100,000 cable-subscribing homes throughout St. Croix County, Eau Claire and Madison. He got involved four years ago because he decided too many people in Western Wisconsin needed more information about government and the law. He thought he’d host once or twice; over 50 episodes later, it’s safe to say he’s hooked.