Counsel
Phone: (757) 856-5004
Email: cjohnson@hclawfirm.com
Caryl Stephens Johnson is a senior attorney with Harrell & Chambliss. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University, a Master of Arts degree from New School University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Richmond School of Law. Ms. Johnson is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the National Association of Bond Lawyers.
Ms. Johnson’s practice encompasses a range of areas including public finance (with expertise in both competitive and negotiated financing structures), corporate law, tax matters, real estate transactions, estate planning and administration, and state public procurement. She has served as bond counsel for various municipal entities, including utilities. Additionally, Ms. Johnson has significant experience in forming both profit and nonprofit entities, navigating corporate governance issues, and representing borrowers in commercial real estate transactions. Her practice also involves drafting estate planning documents such as wills, trusts, advanced medical directives, and powers of attorney, as well as assisting in estate administration.
Before joining H&C, Ms. Johnson’s practice was primarily focused on tax-exempt financing for educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations, health care facilities, developers, and manufacturers. She has served in various capacities on complex financing structures, including as bank counsel, underwriters’ counsel, and bond counsel for variable rate demand bonds, private placements, public offerings, and IRC 265(b) transactions. Furthermore, Ms. Johnson has experience representing clients in tax controversies with federal and state taxing authorities. Her prior professional experience includes roles as an associate with Kaufman & Canoles, Assistant Vice President of the Financial Services Corporation of New York City, program administrator of the New York City Industrial Development Authority, Vice President of DSL Capital Corporation, financial advisor to the Virginia Small Business Development Authority’s pooled bond program, and budget analyst and regulatory policy analyst for the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Planning and Budget.
