Gage-Michaels spends career advocating for the vulnerable

Listen to this article

Andrea Gage-Michaels began her career in television journalism, public relations and advocacy. As a reporter, she often suggested that her interviewees consult with an attorney if they were in a legal predicament. She said her reporting and advocacy experience helped develop the investigational skills she needed to become a lawyer.

“Some people might look at my resume and it might be a head-scratcher for people who have taken a more traditional route, but for me becoming a lawyer was a natural step in the progression of my career,” she said.

As she graduated from law school, Gage-Michaels found that her public relations and advocacy experience led her to want to help people. She joined Legal Action of Wisconsin in 2016.

“Just as I expected, I really love working directly with clients and helping them unravel each individual problem,” she said, noting she works with elder abuse victims who often initially believe they cannot make significant life changes.

“I can tell them I’ve made life changes and you can do whatever you set your mind to whether you are 20 or 60 or 80. I think that positive attitude has helped in everything I’ve done,” Gage-Michaels said. “Each client has represented a huge, proud moment for me.”

She shared an anecdote in which she helped an elderly client reunite with her longtime husband. They had been married for 40 years when the husband became violent and the woman suspected something was wrong neurologically. His physicians were not able to confirm her concerns and she was about to file for a legal separation when her husband’s medical team did further tests and found that his brain had been damaged by a stroke. They formed a treatment plan and the woman and her husband spent a couple of happy months together before he passed away.

“It’s moments like those when you don’t really know where the story is going to lead when you first start the interview and …when everything finally culminates it’s rewarding, even if it didn’t lead to where you expected or where the client expected,” Gage-Michaels said.

“Andrea Gage-Michaels is not just an outstanding attorney, she is a vibrant, caring woman who spends time helping the most vulnerable people in our society,” said one of her clients, Georgia Stein. “… To gain a client’s confidence is unique to those who can be trusted; trust and respect are given to those whose skill and knowledge is applied with integrity. These are skills that cannot be taught; they are unique to special individuals of the highest caliber.”