Overview

With a wide-ranging legal background, Nancy Johnson skillfully advises and defends employers who are confronted by complex workplace challenges and the evolving labor and employment landscape.

As a true business partner to her clients, Nancy works with in-house counsel through all phases of labor and employment litigation in state and federal courts and at the administrative agency level. Her targeted advice in the area of human resources reflects a strong combination of employment law knowledge and significant experience in other corporate legal matters, including bankruptcies, theft of trade secrets and qui tam actions relating to Medicaid and Medicare fraud.

Leveraging her previous experience as plaintiffs’ counsel, Nancy brings distinctive advantages to her defense of management-side clients. Additionally, she provides keen insights into workers’ issues based on the various companies where she worked before starting a law career.  

Nancy has favorably resolved a number of labor and employment complaints and lawsuits, including the following:

  • Blocked a nationwide class action sought by call center investment advisors who alleged overtime, off-the-clock and other Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violations against a large banking company.
  • Obtained temporary and permanent injunctive relief and secured damages for a large national supplier of maintenance, repair and operations products after a competitor raided its sales force and attempted to take over many of its long-standing customer relationships.
  • Secured a defense verdict for a Florida construction company and supervisor in a sexual assault and harassment lawsuit.
  • Halted a nationwide class action sought by customer relations workers who alleged FLSA infractions by a major financial services company.
  • Won summary judgment on behalf of financial services company in Americans with Disabilities Act discrimination case.

Outside of her legal accomplishments, Nancy has devoted substantial efforts to volunteer work. In a Florida case that drew nationwide attention, she assisted in keeping an abused and traumatized 12-year-old out of prison after he had been charged as an adult with murder. The boy eventually was sentenced to a juvenile facility, where he received much-needed counseling and guidance.

Nancy also assisted in the founding of the student rape crisis center and hotline at Grinnell College, helped women in domestic violence cases and guided children in literacy and mentoring programs. Recently, in recognition of her work on behalf of Northeast Florida United Way, she was selected as a Stein Fellow.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

Federal Bar Association

Member

Jacksonville Bar Association

Member

Florida Association for Women Lawyers

Member

Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association

Associate

Chester Bedell Inns of Court

Member, Board of Directors

First Coast Figure Skating Club

Recognition

Stein Fellow

United Way of Northeast Florida

2015-2016

News, Analysis & Press

Employers Must Remain Focused on COVID-19 Issues

Association of Corporate Counsel North Florida

July 1, 2021

Is Karaoke Dead? An Employer’s Guide to Post-Pandemic Life

Association of Corporate Counsel

May 4, 2020

When an Employee Takes Her #MeToo Complaint to Social Media

ACC North Florida Chapter Newsletter

March 15, 2018

Immigration Reform and Employers: A Potential Legal Minefield

ACC America Focus

Spring 2013

Speaking Engagements

2024 Florida Regional Employer Conference

Orlando, FL

November 14, 2024

Proceed With Caution: Florida’s Stop WOKE Act Limits Topics In Discrimination And Harassment Trainings

May 13, 2022

Year Two of the Pandemic – Returning to the Workplace and Dealing with the Wave of Legal Claims from COVID-19

Miami, FL

September 10, 2021

Navigating Difficult FMLA and ADA Issues in the Middle of a Pandemic

Miami, FL

August 25, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges in Florida

March 11, 2021

Diversity at Work: Fortifying Your Inclusion Efforts in the Current Climate

ACC Webinar

July 30, 2020

Social Media Uncorked: Practical Solutions for Challenges in Today’s Technology-Driven Workplace

Association of Corporate Counsel – Central Florida Chapter, Orlando, FL

November 14, 2019

Gender Identity: A Look at Unique Issues Concerning Transgender Employees

Florida Regional Employer Conference, Miami, FL

October 24, 2019

Hospitality Roundtable

Orlando, FL

August 8, 2019

Update Your Status: Practical Solutions for Social Media Challenges in Today's Technology-Driven Workplace

Association of Corporate Counsel – North Florida Chapter, Jacksonville, FL

June 6, 2019

One Year After #MeToo: The Legal Fallout and What's to Come

April 18, 2019

Creative Approaches for Handling ADA and FMLA Issues in the Workplace: Actions You May Not Know You Can Take

Orlando, FL

June 20, 2018

From Harvey Weinstein to [Insert Name]: Preventing Harassment in the Workplace and What to Do When Claims are Made

Orlando, FL

March 27, 2018

The Employee from Hell: How In-House Counsel Can Effectively Manage the Legal, HR and Business Issues Surrounding the Problematic Employee

Association of Corporate Counsel – North Florida Chapter, Jacksonville, FL

May 23, 2017

President Trump’s First 100 Days: What Does It Mean for Employers?

Orlando, FL

March 15, 2017

Taking the Bait: Whistleblowing and Retaliation

Association of Corporate Counsel - Central Florida Chapter, Orlando, FL

October 13, 2016

Education

  • J.D., Washington University School of Law, 1999
  • B.S., Grinnell College, 1996

Bar Admission

Florida

Courts

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit