Teresa Johnson is the co-head of the firm's Capital Markets practice. She advises clients on securities transactions, compliance and reporting matters, and often works with closely-held, family-run enterprises, including wineries and professional sports teams. Teresa serves as a trusted advisor to the C suite and board members, collaborating with directors in the boardroom and in committee meetings.
In her corporate governance work and thought leadership, Teresa has focused in particular on board diversity, stakeholder capitalism and other ESG matters. Her speaking engagements have included panels for Reuters, the NYCBA, the ABA Section on Environment, Energy and Resources, Terra Tuscany, and the London IFSEA conference, as well as being the featured guest on the Boardroom Governance and OnBoards podcasts. She has authored op-eds and articles for the Financial Times, Bloomberg, Law360, and the Daily Journal. Teresa is one of the editors of Environmental, Social, Governance: The Professional’s Guide to the Law and Practice of ESG, published by the ABA and is one of the founders of the firm’s ESG practice.
A “notable practitioner” (Chambers USA: California 2021), Teresa has been recognized by the Daily Journal as one of the top 25 corporate transaction attorneys on the publication's annual list of the "Top 100 Women Lawyers."
Teresa served as the 2024 President of the Bar Association of San Francisco and Justice and Diversity Center. She is one of the leaders of the Legal Alliance for Reproductive Rights, a coalition among BASF, the San Francisco City Attorney and a large cohort of law firms (including Arnold & Porter), which coordinates providing pro bono legal assistance in connection with the exercise of reproductive rights following the Dobbs decision.
Ms. Johnson has practiced law in London as well as in the United States. Ms. Johnson was a member of the Stanford Law Review.
Experience
- NFL team as lead outside counsel on corporate, governance and financing matters, including multiple ownership transactions and the financing of its $1.8 billion stadium, financed on a project finance basis with multiple entities and public and private financial support.
- WNBA team as lead outside counsel in corporate and governance matters, including multiple ownership transactions.
- Teichert, Inc. as counsel to the Board of Directors.
- The Charles Schwab Corporation in multiple debt and securities transactions, governance, and securities compliance matters, including billions of dollars in issuances of Senior Notes, Depositary Shares, Preferred and Common Stock.
- Selling shareholder (member of controlling family) in the initial public offering of Levi Strauss & Co.
- Frank Family Vineyards, a premium Napa Valley winery, in its $315 million sale to Australia-based Treasury Wine Estates.
- JH Capital Partners, investor in iconic Napa Valley and San Francisco restaurants, in corporate and ownership matters.
- Far Niente Wine Estates, one of the oldest wineries in California, in connection with corporate governance matters and M&A, including the sale of a controlling interest to GI Partners.
- Heitz Wine Cellars, a renowned family-owned Napa Valley winery, in connection with corporate governance matters and its sale to Gaylon Lawrence Jr.
- The Wine Group (third largest wine producer in world by volume) in multiple debt transactions.
- Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc. in multiple financing, commercial and other transactions.
- Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc. in Toyota's support for hydrogen fuel infrastructure.
Perspectives
Recognition
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Stanford Law School, 1992
- B.A., Harvard University, 1989, cum laude
- Certificate, Sustainable Capitalism and ESG, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 2022
Admissions
- California
- New York
- Texas (Not practicing)
- England and Wales
Activities
- 2024 President of Bar Association of San Francisco
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, State Bar of California
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Member, State Bar of Texas
Languages
- French
- Italian