profile headshot of Thomas D. Johnson

Specialties

I'm a member in the BrownWinick law firm and bring 30 years of experience in the business and corporate transactional area.  I represent clients across a wide range of industries providing expertise in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, banking, corporate finance, securities, and health law.  I also serve as general counsel to numerous clients.  In representing our clients, I strive to serve as a trusted advisor helping our clients navigate and solve their problems and meet their business objectives.      

My Approach

My approach starts with listening and understanding your business and the issues and challenges you are facing, along with the opportunities and objectives you desire to achieve.  We will then partner and collaborate to meet your goals, address your issues and maximize your business opportunities.  As your partner, I will strive to provide quick, practical, and cost-effective business solutions.  I have also found that anticipating your needs and attending to even the smallest detail is critical.  My ultimate goal is to make sure your problems are efficiently resolved and your goals are achieved. 

More About Me

 In 1990, I received a J.D., with high distinction, from the University of Iowa and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1990 and the Iowa bar in 1992.  I graduated in 1984 from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting.  I received my Certified Public Accountant Certificate in 1985 from the University of Illinois.

Prior to attending law school, I was an accountant with the public accounting firm KPMG in their Chicago, Illinois office.  This experience provided valuable lessons in understanding client's financial and tax issues that assist me today in understanding and representing clients.

I am recognized by Best Lawyers® in the areas of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Securities/Capital Markets.

I am a past member of our Firm's Management Committee and have served as Chair of the Securities Law Subcommittee and a member of the Business Corporation Law Subcommittee of the Iowa State Bar Association.  As Chair, the Securities Law Subcommittee drafted the new Iowa Uniform Securities Act. During my tenure as a member of the Business Law Corporation Subcommittee, the Subcommittee drafted the new Iowa Business Corporation Act.

I am also involved in a number of civic and industry organizations.  I am currently a member of the Des Moines Partnership Downtown Economic Development Committee. I have completed two leadership programs: Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Leadership Iowa.  I am an active member of the Association of Business and Industry, the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. 

My Specialties

  • Business and Corporate
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Banking
  • Corporate Finance / Securities
  • Agribusiness
  • Construction Law
  • Health Care Law
  • Start-Up

End of LIBOR is Here

07-5-2023 The London Interbank Offering Rate (commonly known as LIBOR) has been a key benchmark for setting the interest rates charged on adjustable rate loans, mortgages and corporate debt for the last 40 years. Due to concerns that the benchmark was being manipulated, LIBOR has been phased out over the last few years. Effective June 30, 2023, the...
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Rental Deposit Provision of IURLTA Does Not Apply to Continuing Care Retirement Communities

08-13-2019 Article written by BrownWinick 2019 Summer Associate, Casey Sievert, and BrownWinick attorney, Thomas Johnson The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that the Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (IURLTA) does not apply to entrance fees of a continuing care retirement community. The Iowa Supreme Court held that the legislature did not intend...
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Legal Sports Betting Imminent After Supreme Court Decision

05-18-2018 The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Assn., issued May 14, 2018, has opened the doors for states to legalize and regulate sports betting. The decision declared the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional. PASPA itself did not ban sports betting. Rather, it prohibited states...
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BrownWinick Attorneys Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® List

08-17-2023 BrownWinick is pleased to announce that 33 lawyers have been included in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. BrownWinick would like to congratulate the following attorneys named to the 2024 The Best Lawyers...
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2023 Great Plains Super Lawyers and Great Plains Rising Stars Feature BrownWinick Attorneys

06-1-2023 BrownWinick is excited to announce the following attorneys were selected for inclusion in the Great Plains Super Lawyers directory for 2023. The Great Plains Super Lawyers and Rising Stars listings include the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.  Nine BrownWinick attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2023 Great Plains...
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BrownWinick Law Firm Attorneys Featured in 2021 Great Plains Super Lawyers and Great Plains Rising Stars

08-20-2021 BrownWinick is excited to announce the following attorneys were selected for inclusion in the Great Plains Super Lawyers directory for 2021. Seven BrownWinick attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2021 Great Plains Super Lawyers online listing: William Brown - Tax Michael Dee – Business Litigation Thomas Johnson – Business/Corporate James...
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BrownWinick Attorneys Named to 2021 Best Lawyers in America List

08-21-2020 BrownWinick is pleased to announce that 26 lawyers have been included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers® has published their list for more than three decades, earning the respect of the...
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BrownWinick Attorneys Named to 2020 Best Lawyers List

08-15-2019 BrownWinick is pleased to announce that 24 lawyers have been included in the 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers® has published their list for more than three decades, earning the respect of the...
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BrownWinick Attorneys Featured in 2019 Great Plains Super Lawyers and Great Plains Rising Stars

07-11-2019 Eleven BrownWinick attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2019 Great Plains Super Lawyers online listing: William Brown – Tax Elizabeth Coonan – Employment and Labor Michael Dee – Business Litigation Alice Helle – Employee Benefits Thomas Johnson – Business/Corporate Ann Holden Kendell – Employment and Labor James Pray – Environmental Brian...
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BrownWinick Attorneys Named to 2019 Best Lawyers® List

08-16-2018 BrownWinick is pleased to announce that 27 lawyers have been included in the 2019 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades, earning the respect of the...
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BrownWinick Attorneys Featured in 2018 Great Plains Super Lawyers and Great Plains Rising Stars

07-2-2018 Twelve BrownWinick attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2018 Great Plains Super Lawyers online listing: Ronni F. Begleiter - Employee Benefits William C. Brown - Tax Elizabeth A. Coonan – Employment & Labor Michael A. Dee - Business Litigation Alice E. Helle - Employee Benefits Thomas D. Johnson - Business/Corporate Ann Holden Kendell -...
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BrownWinick Attorney Tom Johnson Selected as a Member of the 2017-2018 Leadership Iowa Class

09-11-2017 Congratulations to Tom Johnson, an attorney at BrownWinick, for being selected as a member of the 2017-2018 Association of Business and Industry Foundation's Leadership Iowa class. The goal of the selection process is to create a class that brings together leaders from across the state who represent a variety of occupations, civic involvement and...
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BrownWinick Attorneys Named to 2018 Best Lawyers List

08-15-2017 BrownWinick is pleased to announce that 26 lawyers have been included in the 2018 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades, earning the respect of the...
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Assistant

Darci Clark

515-242-2435

Undergraduate

University of Iowa

B.B.A., 1984

Legal

University of Iowa College of Law

J.D., with high distinction, 1990

Admitted

Illinois, 1990

Iowa, 1992

Memberships & Associations

  • Polk County Bar Association
    Member
  • Iowa State Bar Association
    Member
  • Iowa Association of Business and Industry Member; Leadership Iowa Class of 2017-2018
    Member; Sections on: Agricultural Law; Business Law; Corporate Counsel
  • Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute
    Alumni Member
  • Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants
    Member