Professional Biography
Mr. Johnson has been bond counsel on hundreds of public
projects for cities, counties, special and local districts,
interlocal agencies, municipal building authorities, school
districts, etc. Frequently, these financings help
communities advance economic development and enhance fiscal
stability. However, Mr. Johnson has also helped
communities surmount distressing financial circumstances.
His services require him to work closely with state and
local officials at essentially all levels. Mr. Johnson has
experience with basically all types of public financings,
from the most sophisticated to the commonplace, including
general obligation bonds, excise and sales tax bonds, water
or sewer revenue bonds, mineral lease revenue bonds,
industrial development revenue bonds, road bonds, lease
revenue bonds, and more.
Mr. Johnson regularly helps create or modify special and
local districts, including interlocal agencies. Often
this helps communities obtain better financing on public
projects, such as creating a special service district to
acquire the assets of a non-profit water company because a
governmental entity can usually obtain grants and low
interest loans that are not available to a non-profit
company. In addition, multiple communities can join
forces in creating a special district for joint public
projects, like recreation centers. Special districts
also can help communities isolate liabilities associated
with public projects.
Mr. Johnson also serves as general counsel to the City of
Cedar Hills, Mapleton City, Town of Brian Head, and Town of
Goshen. He has experience with basically all aspects
of municipal and local government law. With this
practice focus, other communities also invite Mr. Johnson to
assist with annexations, disconnections, economic
development, eminent domain, employee challenges, etc.
Mr. Johnson is a noted presenter at conferences and often
educates government officials on municipal financings, joint
public projects, the creation and operation of special and
local districts, annexations, eminent domain, and other
aspects of local government law
Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Johnson clerked for
Justice I. Daniel Stewart of the Utah Supreme Court
1994-1995.
Practice Areas
Municipal Bonds
Municipal and Local Government Law
Professional Memberships
1994 Utah State Bar and Federal Courts.
National Association of Bond Lawyers (NABL)
Utah Municipal Attorneys Association
Awards and Distinctions
2008 Utah Business Magazine, Utah
Legal Elite, Government
Chair-elect J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Salt Lake City
Chapter
Editor, BYU Law Review
Publications
Religious Persecution as a Ground for Asylum, BYU Law Review
1995.
Education
Juris Doctorate, magna cum
laude, Order of the Coif, Brigham Young
University, 1994
M.B.A. Western Washington University, 1990 (with honors)
B.S, Brigham Young University 1986
Languages
Spanish
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