After graduating from Wake Forest Law School in 1970, Mike began his legal career with the prestigious law firm of White and Crumpler, which concentrated its practice on litigating civil, criminal, and family law matters. He immersed himself in trial litigation of all types for the first 12 years of his practice, taking advantage of every available opportunity to represent individual clients in the courtroom.
After obtaining record personal injury verdicts in several North Carolina counties, he decided in 1982 to focus solely on representing injured people. He became one of the first lawyers in NC to advertise his services on TV. The rest, as they say, is history.
Mike has always relished the opportunity to fight for “the little guy” and works hard to create a special bond with his clients. He looks forward to helping them solve their legal problems and finding the best answer for each one them. His clients quickly learn that he is caring and deeply interested in their well-being.
“People come to us with problems they can’t solve by themselves. Being able to help them is the best part of what we do. We always try to find out how our clients are doing. I want them to know we’re genuinely interested in helping them. I really care what happens.” -Mike Lewis
Every year since 1997, Mike has been recognized by Best Lawyers(R) in personal injury litigation. He is also been listed and recognized in Best Lawyers(R)in the area of eminent domain each year since 1997.
Each year since 1995 he has been rated “AV Preeminent,” the highest rating from Martindale Hubble which has been rating lawyers since 1887 for their legal ability and ethical standards.
From its inception in 2009, North Carolina Super Lawyers has recognized Mike in the field of Personal Injury. In addition, he has been a longtime Advocate Member of the American Board of Trial Lawyers (ABOTA), serving as President of the Western North Carolina Chapter in 2018. ABOTA is a national organization of plaintiff and defense lawyers who become members by invitation only after demonstrating extensive trial experience and undergoing detailed peer review.
Mike is an avid sports fan with an especial love of basketball and tennis. He and his wife have won numerous mixed double tennis titles, including NC state and Southern (9 states) regional championships. They still enjoy pickleball, ballroom dancing, and walks with their beloved dog Beau.
Awards and Recognition
- Lewis & Keller has been recognized by Best Lawyers(R) in both Plaintiff Personal Injury Litigation and Eminent Domain each year since 2010. Firms included in this recognition have been carefully vetted for professional excellence by clients and professional peers.
- Mike has been recognized by Best Lawyers(R) for Plaintiff Personal Injury Litigation each year since 1997.
- Mike has been recognized by Best Lawyers(R) in Eminent Domain each year since 1997.
- Mike has been recognized by NC Super Lawyers in Personal Injury Litigation each year since the ranking were created in 2009.
- Mike has been “AV Preeminent” rated by Martindale Hubble every year since 1995. This is the highest peer rating standard, given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers.
- Mike has been a longtime Advocate Member of ABOTA (The American Board of Trial Advocates) and served as President of the Western North Carolina Chapter in 2018.
- ABOTA is an organization of trial lawyers dedicated to the preservation of the 7th Amendment right to a civil trial by jury, promotion of civility and professionalism, and the protection of an independent judiciary.
- Membership is by invitation only and is limited to attorneys with extensive civil trial experience and the highest degree of ethical conduct.
- Mike is a Lifetime Member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.
*AV Preeminent® and BV Distinguished® are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Information on the standards for Best Lawyers can be found at bestlawyers.com. Information on the standards for Super Lawyers can be found at superlawyers.com. Information on the standards for Martindale-Hubbell can be found at Martindale.com. Information on the standards for Best Law Firms can be found at Bestlawfirms.usnews.com.
