MINNEAPOLIS (March 2, 2009) – The law firm of Gray Plant Mooty is pleased to announce that Thomas L. Johnson, a principal in the firm’s Litigation practice group, was recently honored by Minnesota Lawyer as one of its 2008 Attorneys of the Year. Johnson is a recipient of the “Outstanding Service to the Profession” designation.

As a member and leader of a number of civic and neighborhood organizations, Johnson has lent his time and expertise for many years. He served as Hennepin County Attorney from 1979-1991 and on the Minneapolis City Council from 1973-1977. Johnson was the second president of the Council on Crime and Justice and led that group for nine years before resuming his full-time practice at Gray Plant Mooty in 2008, focusing primarily in the areas of environmental and land use law, government relations, public law, and finance.

“Working in the public sector taught me there are very good people who are working hard every day to do what they think is best and what, in most cases, is best,” says Johnson. “It also gave me a great understanding of the political process and the bureaucratic process.”

Johnson lectures frequently on environmental law and other topics and has published numerous articles for both legal and business audiences. He recently provided legal counsel for the environmental review of the new Gopher football stadium and the Twins’ baseball stadium. Johnson regularly assists developer and landowner clients in land use issues, particularly relating to environmental remediation, project financing, and development agreements.

An adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas Law School, Johnson has served on the board of directors for numerous state and national organizations and is the recipient of many awards including the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers’ 2008 Profiles in Courage Award and the Council on Crime and Justice’s 2008 Equal Justice Award. He has also been recognized with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Quality Award, the President’s Award from the National District Attorney’s Association, and the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Professional Excellence Award.

Minnesota Lawyer recognized its 2008 Attorneys of the Year at an awards dinner on February 24, 2009 and published a special section in its March 2, 2009 edition. To view a video tribute to Johnson, visit http://minnlawyerblog.com/2009/02/25/video-tribute-tom-johnson/.