Laura E. Johnson

During her career, Laura has prevailed on behalf of clients in an array of matters, several encompassing transactions where millions of dollars were at stake. Examples include closing a complex $50 million private equity financing including a reincorporation merger and many difficult pre-closing transactions; representation of a provider of limb protheses in a sale to a strategic buyer, a publicly traded company on the Iceland Stock Exchange, including navigation of antitrust issues and voluntary submission to, and ultimate approval with, the Federal Trade Commission; and successfully negotiating a dispute with a significant shareholder including redemption of shares and related financing issues.

Laura Johnson is a Shareholder based in the firm’s Troy office. She is Chair of Butzel’s Corporate and Finance and Real Estate Practice Departments. She also serves as a member of Butzel’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Recruiting Committee and Pro Bono Committee. She is a past Co-Chair of the Pro Bono Committee. Laura has also served as a member of MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association’s (formerly OESA) Young Leadership Council 3 and as a member of its Talent Retention subcommittee.

Ms. Johnson is admitted to practice in Michigan and New York state courts and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She is a member of the Federal Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan. She has been repeatedly recognized by respected regional and national legal publications for her experience in Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Governance Law, and Business Law.

Prior to joining Butzel, Ms. Johnson worked as a law clerk in the office of a Detroit 3 General Counsel in the financial services division and held several internship positions with a Michigan credit union.

All Related Practice Areas

Education

Michigan State University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude

University of Michigan, B.A., with honors

Admissions

Memberships

• Federal Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan – Business Law Section, Council Member

Awards & Recognitions

DBusiness - Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Corporate Law, 2016-2018, 2020-2025; Mergers & Acquisitions, 2017-2018, 2020-2023

The Best Lawyers in America® - Corporate Governance Law, 2023-2025

Michigan Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Business/Corp., 2022-2024

Crain’s – Notable Women in Law, 2024

Michigan Lawyers Weekly – Go to Lawyers, Business Law, 2022

Michigan Lawyers Weekly – Women in the Law, 2021

DBusiness – 30 in Their Thirties, 2021

Successfully negotiated dispute with large shareholder including redemption of shares and related tax and financing issues

Represented global provider of personal respiratory protected and safety essentials in its sale to a strategic buyer; transaction went through an auction process, involved various foreign affiliates and regulatory filings

Represented insurance agency focusing on personal and commercial insurance, group benefits, and other life insurance, annuities, and long-term care, in numerous acquisitions over the years of several agencies

Successfully closed a complex, $50 million private equity financing including a reincorporation merger and myriad difficult pre-closing transactions

Represented provider of limb protheses in sale to strategic buyer, a publicly traded company on the Iceland Stock Exchange, including navigation of antitrust issues and voluntary submission to, and ultimate approval with, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Assist company in the polymers business in various asset and equity transactions, including cross border due diligence and coordination

Successfully defended and defeated class certification motions in a multi-million-dollar Florida concrete antitrust action

Represented insurance agency in its sale to buyer, ultimately owned by a private equity firm, including negotiating and preparing documentation for rollover equity and earn-out

Represented and led negotiations in purchase of shares of medical company

Represented foreign company in acquisition of software companies in asset transactions, including management of due diligence

Representation of sale of US entity in the business of providing low code development services, with an affiliate entity in India, including negotiations of rollover agreement, transition services agreement, and option cancellations

Represented and advised client in purchases of insurance companies

Represented sale of assets of a paving and concrete services business, including negotiation of non-compete for ultimate seller