Susan L. Johnson

The principal focus of Ms. Johnson’s practice is Environmental Law, with an emphasis on environmental and regulatory compliance, the siting and permitting of solid and hazardous waste landfills and treatment facilities, scrap and other recycling facilities, environmental due diligence, and commercial, municipal, and environmental contracting.

Clients regularly seek Ms. Johnson’s guidance in performing due diligence and managing liabilities associated with corporate and real estate transactions and for assistance with obtaining brownfield redevelopment and other governmental incentives. Susan has considerable experience with the siting and permitting of solid and hazardous waste materials management facilities, gravel mines, and scrap and other recycling facilities. She is experienced in community and governmental relations and, accordingly, has developed numerous longstanding relationships within community organizations and municipal agencies throughout the state.

Prior to joining Butzel, Ms. Johnson held roles including senior environmental and general in-house counsel to a large private sector environmental services company. She also held positions as Vice President and General Counsel to large privately held industrial and environmental services/sewer rehabilitation companies. Ms. Johnson was responsible for advising on legal and regulatory matters including monitoring and reviewing contract and bid processes, construction contract issues, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and environmental compliance.

Susan Johnson was also Senior Environmental Counsel to a large privately held management company with affiliates engaged in a variety of industries including real estate development, scrap metal processing, and solid and industrial waste services. Ms. Johnson had chief responsibility for advising the company on all aspects of environmental and regulatory matters, including compliance, permitting, campaign finance, governmental liaison, facility siting, host community negotiations, and the monitoring and oversight of legislative initiatives in areas affecting the companies' interests. She represented the company concerning Michigan and federal laws dealing with hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste, including Michigan Act 451, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and state equivalent, Part 201, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), contract development and review, and real estate matters.

Prior to private practice, Ms. Johnson was Assistant Corporation Counsel for the water and sewerage department of the largest city in Michigan. Ms. Johnson acted as in-house counsel to a large wastewater treatment plant, with an emphasis on environmental and contract law. Her experience included the development and enactment (through city council) of an Industrial Waste Control Ordinance and multi-jurisdictional agreements with suburban community users of publicly owned treatment works (POTW); negotiation of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) settlements, and remedial plans for contaminated properties acquired by the city; drafting and reviewing municipal contracts; handling miscellaneous bid protests and litigation affecting the water and sewerage department.

Susan L. Johnson is a Shareholder based in Butzel's Troy office. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Environmental Law Section, where she previously served as a member of the Environmental Council, Superfund, Insurance, Solid and Hazardous Waste, and Natural Resources and Wetland Committees. She has also served in various positions within several organizations pertinent to the industry. Ms. Johnson has been recognized continually during her career by regional and national legal publications for her work in this area of the law.

All Related Practice Areas

Education

Wayne State University Law School, J.D.

University of Michigan, B.A.

Admissions

Memberships

• State Bar of Michigan – Environmental Law Section; former member Environmental Council; Superfund, Insurance, Solid and Hazardous Waste, and Natural Resources and Wetland Committees
• Oakland County Bar Association - Energy, Sustainability and Environmental Law Committee
• Michigan Waste & Recycling Association
• Detroit Regional Chamber -  former member, Task Force on Water and Sewerage Issues and Energy and Environment Committees
• Environmental Management Association – former Director position
• Michigan Manufacturers Association – Environmental and Air Policy Committees
• Michigan Chamber of Commerce – Energy and Environment Committee

Awards & Recognitions

DBusiness - Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit - Environmental Law, 2011-2012, 2014, 2016-2025; Energy Law, 2018, 2021-2023

Michigan Super Lawyers - Environmental, 2014-2020

The Best Lawyers in America® - Environmental Law, 2021-2026; Litigation – Environmental, 2021-2026

Leading Lawyers – Energy Law, 2021; Environmental Law 2021