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Thomas H. "Tom" Johnson, Jr. photo

Thomas H. Johnson, Jr.

Partner
Raleigh, NC
  • T.
  • 919.981.4006
  • F.
  • 919.981.4300

Tom Johnson has more than 30 years' experience representing clients throughout North Carolina on a broad range of commercial real estate matters, particularly planning, zoning and land use issues. Tom combines his legal practice experience with tools he gained as a former city council member in Greenville, N.C. to help clients navigate the real estate development process. He assists clients with the permitting of large, multi-use commercial developments, hotels and residential developments. He has significant experience in the telecommunications industry, where he helps wireless telecommunications providers develop tower sites and wireless networks throughout North Carolina.

Tom's experience includes the preparation of purchase and sale agreements; negotiating and closing loan transactions; the preparation of commercial leases for retail and office space; and related matters. He assists clients in finding and acquiring sites and navigating the regulatory approval process, and represents clients before city and county boards throughout North Carolina on rezoning petitions; applications for special use permits; variances; issuance of certificates of appropriateness in historic districts; and litigation involving the application of zoning ordinances.

Tom is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Real Property Law (Business, Commercial, Industrial and Residential Transactions), and he is a founding member and past chair of the North Carolina Bar Association's Zoning, Planning and Land Use Section. He also serves a member of the Raleigh Chamber Board of Advisors and Economic Development Board and is on the board of directors of the Triangle Community Coalition. He is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) per the U.S. Green Building Council.

Tom is listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers for real estate law (2017-present), along with being listed in the Top 100 North Carolina Super Lawyers list (2022) and the Top 25 Raleigh Super Lawyers list (2022). He was also listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Real Estate Law (2021-present), Land Use and Zoning Law (2024-present) and as a leading individual in real estate law by Chambers USA (2014-present). In 2014, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly recognized him as a "Leader in the Law."

He earned both his Juris Doctor degree and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina.

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Education
  • University of North Carolina (J.D.), 1985
  • University of North Carolina (B.S. & B.A.), 1982
Professional & Community Affiliations

Professional Affiliations

  • Greenville City Council - Member (1989-1992)
  • American Bar Association - Member, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Member, Real Property Law Section; Founding Member and past Chair of the Zoning, Planning and Land Use Section
  • Wake County Bar Association - Member
  • Wake County Real Property Lawyers - Member
  • N.C. State Bar Fee Arbitration Committee - Former Chair (1998-2000)
  • Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Education Committee - Member (2008-2011)

Community Involvements

  • Shadow Board for Carolina Arbors HOA – President (2017-present)
  • Triangle Community Coalition – Board of Directors
  • NC State College of Education Advisory Board – Former Member and Chair (2008-2011)
  • Coastal Carolina Tomorrow – Board of Directors (2009-2010)
Bar & Court Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina State Bar

Court Admissions

  • U.S Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Honors

Chambers USA - Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use (2014-present)

North Carolina Super Lawyers - Real Estate Law (2017-present); Top 100 North Carolina Super Lawyers list (2022); Top 25 Raleigh Super Lawyers list (2022)

Named a "Leader in the Law" by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly (2014)

The Best Lawyers in America® – Real Estate Law (2021-present), Land Use and Zoning Law (2024-present)

“Thomas understands land use well and is good at presenting in front of a board. He also has a very good manner.“

“Thomas Johnson is a great lawyer.”

Williams Mullen Client Feedback - Chambers USA, 2023 & 2024