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.

With extensive expertise advising clients on sustainability initiatives and environmental stewardship, integrating best practices in sustainable development, resource conservation, and corporate social responsibility, Ms. Johnson regularly assists organizations with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance, sustainable waste management, renewable energy projects, and green infrastructure planning. Her counsel encompasses sustainable site remediation, climate risk mitigation, and implementation of circular economy principles to minimize environmental impact, including climate change regulations and greenhouse gas (GHG) standards. Susan’s substantial background in these areas includes development and regulatory matters such as obtaining wastewater discharge, air, and wetlands permits, ensuring compliance with environmental permits and air emission limits, Brownfields cost recovery, and managing hazardous or toxic substances like pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, and mold and other indoor air concerns. She has advised on a wide range of situations and compliance issues from emergency responses due to accidents, fires, and spills to tax incentives, enforcement, and occupational safety and health issues. Through her work, Ms. Johnson supports clients in reducing carbon footprints and aligning operations with industry standards for sustainability and environmental performance.

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, 2016-2026; 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

Represented the largest Korean chemical company in the acquisition of land, obtaining various government grants and tax incentives, and drafting and negotiating of the construction contract for a $303 million advanced lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility

Defended Michigan manufacturer in multi-party lawsuit after plaintiff purchased property through which two pipelines owned by the manufacturer traversed pursuant to two recorded easements

Ongoing representation of numerous solid waste and recycling companies on a variety of landfill compliance and permitting issues

Represented Michigan county in the transfer of sewer capacity to three significant suburban communities located in two counties

Counsel clients as to regulatory and health-based cleanup requirements

Assisted numerous clients with international transactions involving environmental due diligence and permitting throughout South America, Asia, and Europe

Successfully prosecuted several contested case proceedings related to wetland permit denials

Review and analyze environmental due diligence reports, purchase agreements on behalf of buyers, sellers, and lenders, and advise as to potential environmental liability and available protections

Represented numerous clients in obtaining, modifying, and or transferring air permits

Assisted clients in obtaining permits and defending action in alleged disturbance of an endangered species (eagles)

Negotiated an administrative order for a landfill client with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) resulting from alleged violations of the laws and regulations regarding the operation and maintenance of solid waste landfills

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

Supervised environmental due diligence and remedial activities related to major multi-parcel development in major metropolitan downtown area

Prepare application for siting of a landfill in Illinois; assist with hearings associated with the siting

Representation of solid waste and recycling company included a variety of landfill compliance and contamination issues of multiple landfills and transfer stations