Michael J Goecke

Michael Goecke is a litigation attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland. Mike’s practice involves a range of business and tort matters with an emphasis on civil litigation in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

His clients include national and local corporations, family-owned businesses, nonprofits, community associations and individuals from a cross-section of industries including information technology, government contracts, construction and real estate. His caseload is robust and varied. Whether representing shareholders in corporate and contract disputes, defending landlords and community associations in real estate litigation, such as cases involving secondhand smoke or damage caused by floods or fires, challenging (or defending) wills and trusts in probate court, or discreetly handling sensitive and personal disputes between individuals, Mike is determined and pragmatic in his approach.

Mike regularly argues cases before the Montgomery County Circuit Court and the District of Columbia Superior Court, as well as other State and Federal courts in the Washington, D.C. area. He has handled bench and jury trials and has successfully litigated several cases, including several before the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Mike also represents clients in mediations and arbitrations and works to avoid (or minimize) litigation to serve his clients’ best interests.

Mike received his bachelor of arts from the University of Michigan and Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School. Before joining Lerch Early, Mike worked for a major Washington, D.C., law firm, where he represented Fortune 500 companies and organizations in commercial litigation and in defense of toxic tort and product liability claims. Prior to moving to Washington, Mike worked for one of the oldest firms in Detroit, where he handled a range of corporate and commercial matters that included litigation related to building and road construction, professional liability, premises liability and environmental contamination.

Over the years, Mike has made pro bono work a major part of his practice and has won various pro bono awards. He currently serves as the chair of the Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono program.

Mike loves to travel. After college, he worked as a bartender in London and traveled throughout the United Kingdom. Before he and his wife had children, they explored Turkey, Honduras, South Africa, Argentina and Iceland. Their adventures are now focused on the domestic front with the addition of their young daughters. In his spare time, Mike enjoys swimming, cycling, and rooting for all teams from Detroit and the Michigan Wolverines.