Water
(Flow)
We fluidly navigate around the opposition’s obstacles without losing momentum.
Learn MoreWind
(Rhythm)
We manage timing—knowing when to press or pause, and how to break momentum.
Learn MoreLITIGATION IS OUR ELEMENT
Goju (a style of Okinawan Karate) recognizes four elements: water, earth,
wind, and fire — each with a hard and soft expression. Like in combat,
effective advocacy requires knowing when to push, when to yield, and how
to blend force, speed, flow and rhythm with finesse to achieve your goals.
OUR STORY
The Discipline of a Black Belt. The Power of the Four Elements. The Strategy to Win.
Most high-stakes disputes are not decided by who has more lawyers. They are decided by who has the better strategy — and the discipline to execute it. Ehrenstein Sager was built around that belief.
We are a fully virtual litigation and trial boutique designed for complex, high-value disputes across industries, jurisdictions, and borders. Our clients turn to us when the stakes are significant and conventional law firm approaches are too slow, too expensive, or too predictable.
Our structure is intentional. Without the overhead and hierarchy of traditional firms, we operate with lean teams, faster decisions, and tighter alignment between strategy, cost, and outcome. Clients are not paying for layers. They are investing in judgment, precision, and execution.
We approach every matter as a strategic problem to be solved — not just a case to be managed. From the outset, we map the terrain, identify leverage, and align legal tactics with business objectives. Every move is deliberate. Every decision is tied to outcome.
Ehrenstein Sager was founded by experienced trial lawyers who built their careers handling complex, high-stakes disputes across jurisdictions and industries. Mike Ehrenstein, Brett Sager, and Latasha Johnson bring complementary strengths — combining deep litigation experience, international perspective, and sharp strategic judgment.
We operate as a coordinated team, not a collection of individuals. Strategy is developed collaboratively, tested, and refined — resulting in clearer thinking, stronger positioning, and better outcomes.
Our approach is grounded in a disciplined philosophy drawn from martial arts. Effective advocacy is not one-dimensional. Winning requires knowing when to apply force, when to adapt, when to control timing, and when to act decisively.
That philosophy is expressed through the Four Elements.
It is how we think.
It is how we prepare.
And it is how we win.
“As coordinating counsel for the Republic of Angola, I selected Ehrenstein Sager to defend lawsuits seeking over $1 billion relating to terminated power plant contracts. Their sovereign immunity expertise, preparation, and strategic planning proved exactly right.”
Henrique Abecasis / Coordinating Counsel
Republic of Angola
THE FOUR ELEMENTS
Power. Flow. Rhythm. Speed.
Our philosophy is rooted in the classical martial arts elements Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire — each symbolizing a strategic force.
Earth (Power): The ability to hold ground, remain unshaken, and push forward with deliberate force.
Water (Flow): The capacity to adapt, bend without breaking, and maneuver around obstacles.
Wind (Rhythm): The skill to control tempo and timing – knowing when to accelerate, delay, or redirect.
Fire (Speed): The instinct to strike fast and decisively, turning opportunity into advantage.
These elements aren’t metaphors. They’re frameworks for action. In a major commercial case, we might use the power of Earth to stand firm in a motion to dismiss. In a tense negotiation, Water allows us to shift direction while preserving leverage. Our Wind is evident in our trial pacing and case timing; Fire shows up in urgent injunctions or rapid legal offensives.
Mastery means knowing when to be hard or soft, aggressive or restrained. At Ehrenstein Sager, we use all Four Elements – and always at the right time.
“As a national provider of specialty chemical products, Siege relies on Ehrenstein Sager not only for its renowned litigation expertise but also for its sage counsel on litigation avoidance.”
Audrey Siegle / Siege Chemical
EARTH (POWER)
Soft: Quiet confidence. The ability to absorb
pressure and remain centered.
IN COURT: We know when to take a firm stand,
and when to remain still and strategic.
View Hard
EARTH (POWER)
Hard: Unshakable resolve. Plant your feet, hold
your ground, apply force when it counts. Move slowly,
deliberately, and with enormous force.
IN COURT: We know when to take a firm stand,
and when to remain still and strategic.
View Soft
Water (Flow)
Soft: Total adaptability. Water yields, curves,
and returns stronger.
IN COURT: We fluidly navigate around the
opposition’s obstacles without losing momentum.
View Hard
Water (Flow)
Hard: Relentless force. Water gradually
wears down stone.
IN COURT: We fluidly navigate around the
opposition’s obstacles without losing momentum.
View Soft
Wind (Rhythm)
Soft: Adjust your timing. Match your opponent’s rhythm
—or disrupt it—to create openings.
IN COURT: We manage timing—knowing when
to press or pause, and how to break momentum.
View Hard
Wind (Rhythm)
Hard: Control the pace and tempo. Keep your opponent
off balance. Use surprise angles.
IN COURT: We manage timing—knowing when
to press or pause, and how to break momentum.
View Soft
Fire (Speed)
Soft: Quick thinking. React and adapt
before the threat takes shape.
IN COURT: We act decisively and
are quick to seize opportunity.
View Hard
Fire (Speed)
Hard: Explosive action. Strike first, strike
fast, and overwhelm.
IN COURT: We act decisively and
are quick to seize opportunity.
View Soft
THE EHRENSTEIN SAGER WAY
Our signature litigation approach — built on planning, precision, and purpose — gives clients confidence, clarity, and control from day one.
There are two types of litigation: reactionary and strategic. We choose the latter. The Ehrenstein Sager Way is a three-part process built around structure and clarity:
1. Investigation: We begin every case with rigorous fact-gathering, legal research, and strategic intake – not just to understand the problem, but to see around corners.
2. Execution: Every move we make is mapped in advance. We prepare detailed strategy memos, craft accurate budgets, and build a framework for success that allows us to pivot without losing momentum.
3. Communication: Our clients are never left wondering. We provide monthly updates, budget tracking, and clear guidance at every stage.
We do not litigate for its own sake. We litigate to solve problems – decisively, efficiently, and with a long view. Our goal is not just to win the case, but to win it in a way that aligns with your broader goals, whether that means protecting an asset, avoiding regulatory exposure, or preserving a key relationship.
The Ehrenstein Sager Pledge
Litigation shouldn’t feel like a black box. That’s why we created The Ehrenstein Sager Pledge, a promise of full transparency, disciplined planning, and business-aligned advocacy.
Our Black Belt Logo
Our black belt infinity logo reflects our disciplined, strategic, and adaptive mindset — inspired by The Four Elements and built for high-stakes litigation.
Sample Strategy Letter and Budget
See how we map out your case from the start — with a thoughtful strategy, detailed budget, and clear explanation of what’s ahead.
Sample Invoice Summary
Experience the difference: our invoices explain exactly what was done, why it mattered, what’s next, and how much to expect — so you’re always informed and in control.
Articles And Publications
Mixing Martial Arts with Legal Mastery:
How Mike Ehrenstein Blends Karate’s Discipline with Strategic Brilliance in Complex Business Litigation
"The Art of War" teaches that victory isn’t about overpowering an opponent – it’s about knowing when to engage, when to wait, and when to walk away. That principle captures the professional journey of Miami litigator Mike Ehrenstein, whose rare blend of martial-arts discipline and courtroom intellect makes him among the most strategic and composed trial lawyers in modern business litigation.
Download Article PDFWHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
“When we need Florida litigation counsel, there is no one better than Mike and Ehrenstein Sager. They are efficient, knowledgeable, and extraordinarily responsive.”
Jeffrey Garfinkle / Lead Insolvency Counsel
“Mike’s Four Elements litigation philosophy brings discipline, adaptability, and intensity to high-stakes disputes around the world.”
Steve Henry / Founder & General Counsel
Litigation Counsel of America
“Mike is a lawyer’s lawyer with an extraordinary instinct for the decisive argument.”
Jonathan Winer
“Five-star service—transparent communication, deep knowledge, and diligence that gave us the edge we needed.”
Bianca Lopez / Director of Marketing
Gurkha Cigars
“I have to say that in all my time of being a litigator and hiring litigators, I have never seen anything as clear and transparent about the litigation process, including the costs.”
Jason Weber
“Their Four Elements litigation philosophy delivers discipline, adaptability, and results in global high-stakes disputes.”
Steve Henry / Founder & General Counsel
Litigation Counsel of America
