Johnson’s practice focuses on white collar defense work, including defending Swiss bankers against tax evasion conspiracy charges in an antitrust case involving the Department of Justice (DOJ) and defending hedge fund managers and employees of financial institutions against charges contemplated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He regularly prepares clients for meetings with federal and state prosecutors and regulatory agencies, occasionally serving as first chair. Johnson also has experience drafting sentencing submissions and settlement documents, which have resulted in sentences of unsupervised probation and no-charge decisions.
Johnson maintains an active pro bono practice. Notably, he was on the WMHW team that represented a class of New York City students who alleged that the Department of Education failed to enforce rules intended to remediate bullying. The city settled the case and implemented stronger protections for students.
During law school, Johnson interned at the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protections and the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. These positions have given him valuable insight into the fact-finding and case development processes used by various government agencies.
Johnson also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Dolly M. Gee, District Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Show More +Experience
Represented current and former employees of a pharmaceutical company in a federal antitrust investigation.
Represented chief accounting officer of a regional bank in an internal investigation and investigation by the SEC.
Represented Swiss bankers in federal tax fraud cases.
Represented a hedge fund portfolio manager in federal securities investigation.
Recognitions
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Litigation: Securities, Best Lawyers (2025)
Activities
Professional Affiliations
- Federal Bar Council
- New York City Bar Association