Paul “JJ” Johnson, Jr., represents real estate developers, investors, financial institutions, businesses and municipal governments in a wide range of commercial transactions and land use matters. JJ’s goal is to provide the highest quality of representation, while also helping to facilitate a successful transaction for his clients. JJ’s philosophy is to be a “deal maker,” not a “deal breaker.”

Mr. Johnson has extensive experience representing commercial and residential developers through all phases of the development process. He has represented clients in the acquisition, leasing, development and sale of retail shopping centers and NNN properties involving tenants such as Whole Foods, Publix Super Markets, LA Fitness, Hobby Lobby, McDonalds, Wendy’s, Fifth Third Bank, JP Morgan Chase, 7-Eleven, and Starbucks. Mr. Johnson has served as transactional and land use counsel for the redevelopment of a regional mall consisting of over 1,000,000 square feet of space. Additionally, Mr. Johnson has represented market rate apartment developers in transactions across Florida, a publicly traded REIT in transactions across the United States, and he has represented institutional and private lenders in commercial and private loans secured by real and intangible property.

For the firm’s municipal clients, Mr. Johnson prepares, reviews, and negotiates contracts for real estate and commercial transactions. He routinely attends planning and zoning meetings as an assistant city attorney.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Johnson was a partner in a national law firm with over 800 attorneys. Mr. Johnson also served as general counsel and was an equity partner in a retail development company where he was responsible for all legal work related to the development of over 1,000,000 square feet of retail space. This experience has given him valuable insight into the business aspects of a successful development.

In law school, Mr. Johnson appeared on the Dean’s List numerous times, received multiple book awards for attaining the highest grades in class, and was awarded a scholarship for his academic achievements. Mr. Johnson was also published in the Florida State University Law Review.

EDUCATION

Florida State University, Juris Doctor, cum laude, 2003

Florida State University, Bachelor of Arts

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

International Council of Shopping Centers

Florida Bar Real Property Probate & Trust Member

RATINGS & CERTIFICATIONS

Best Lawyers in American for real estate 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Orlando’s Best Lawyers, Orlando Magazine