Michael W. Johnson is an entrepreneur, lawyer, angel investor, and board member.

A former civil rights attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, in 2000, Michael founded and served as co-CEO of one of the first online compliance training companies, Brightline Compliance. Michael sold Brightline Compliance to a private equity group in 2007.

In 2011, Michael founded and served as CEO of Clear Law Institute, which provided online compliance training and online continuing education. He sold Clear Law Institute to a private equity group in 2023.

Michael currently invests in and mentors startups. He also serves on the Board of Visitors for Duke University’s Trinity College and as Vice-Chair of Philanthropy for the Tulane Family Leadership Council.

Michael is a graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School. He lives in Arlington, Virginia, with his wife, Cheryl Seward Johnson, and their four kids.