Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Amy Johnston has been elected to serve as the new Chair of the Managing Directors.
Johnston is a principal attorney and the co-leader of Miller Canfield’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. She has served on the firm’s five-member Board of Managing Directors since her election in 2016.
“Amy has provided solid leadership as a Managing Director and the firm is better and stronger for it,” said Miller Canfield CEO Megan Norris. “Her business savvy and understanding of the workings of the firm will serve us well as the directors move forward with their vision.”
Johnston will focus on continuing to attract and retain top talent from a diverse candidate pool and building on the firm’s investment in its technological infrastructure.
“The firm is fortunate to have such a dynamic and energetic group of Managing Directors. It’s an honor and privilege to serve as the Chair,” Johnston said. “I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and our new CEO to achieve our goals.”
Johnston succeeds Joseph Fazio, who served as Chair in 2020 and 2010-2013, and served on the Board of Managing Directors for more than a decade. Her election marks the first time in the firm’s history that the top two leadership positions are held by women. Norris became the firm’s CEO in February 2021. Additionally, in 2020 the firm named Michelle Crockett as its Deputy Executive Officer and Chief Diversity Officer.
Johnston is publicly recognized as a leading lawyer. In 2021, she was recognized by Hour Detroit®’s Top Women Legal Leaders and in 2020, she was named as one of the Best Women Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers®. Johnston has been recognized in the top 5 Women Lawyers and top 10 Women Business Lawyers by Leading Lawyers. She was also honored for her leadership as Michigan Lawyers Weekly‘s 2014 Women in the Law. In addition, she has been recognized on U.S. News & World Report‘s “Top 25 Women Lawyers in Michigan” list since 2016, “Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan” since 2011 and “Best Lawyers in America” since 2008. She has been a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, the trial lawyer honorary society, since 2007. Licensed in Michigan and Ohio, Johnston received her J.D., cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and her Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Michigan.
