WilmerHale is pleased to announce that Teresa (Terry) Johnson has joined the firm as a partner in the San Francisco office and Co‑Chair of the Sports & Gaming Practice, alongside Michelle Nicole Diamond and Drew Dulberg. Johnson brings more than three decades of experience advising major professional sports organizations, public and private companies, boards, senior executives, family offices, and high‑net‑worth individuals on securities transactions, corporate governance, capital markets matters, and complex business transactions.
“We are thrilled to welcome Terry to WilmerHale,” said Anjan Sahni, Managing Partner. “Her arrival significantly strengthens our Sports & Gaming practice as well as our West Coast transactional platform at a time of accelerating demand for sophisticated counsel. Terry’s reputation as a trusted advisor to professional sports teams and her deep governance and securities experience align perfectly with our long‑term strategic growth priorities.”
“Terry’s arrival deepens WilmerHale’s considerable bench in the sports and gaming practice,” said Michelle Nicole Diamond, Co-Chair of the Sports & Gaming Practice. “Her experience and industry perspective add tremendous value for our clients and expand our capabilities to advise sports clients across the full spectrum of corporate matters—from day-to-day governance to complex, high stakes transactions.”
“Terry has a unique combination of governance depth, capital markets sophistication, and industry experience in sectors such as sports, wine, infrastructure, and technology,” said Judith Hasko, Chair of the Transactional Department. “Her ability to lead complex matters and coordinate cross‑disciplinary teams exemplifies the excellence we strive for at WilmerHale. We are delighted to welcome her to the partnership.”
Johnson has counseled professional sports organizations including teams in the National Football League (NFL) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Her sports practice centers on representing professional major league sports teams, their owners, and investors on ownership, governance, league matters, financings, and M&A. She advises on sports related investment structures, including minority/majority stakes and innovative ownership models. Johnson handles league negotiations and helps clients navigate league rules, approvals, and compliance, and counsels high net worth individuals and families with investments or governance roles connected to sports franchises.
Her Capital Markets practice focuses on securities, capital markets, and corporate governance, along with advising closely held businesses and high‑net‑worth clients on ownership transitions, financings, M&A, and broader strategic matters.
“I am excited to join WilmerHale and honored to work with such a distinguished and collaborative group of colleagues,” said Terry Johnson. “The firm’s exceptional Sports & Gaming platform, innovative transactional practice, and client‑centered culture deeply resonate with me. I look forward to contributing to the continued growth of our corporate and sports and gaming practices and supporting clients as they navigate increasingly complex markets.”
Johnson joins WilmerHale at a pivotal moment of expansion in its West Coast transactional capabilities. Her addition addresses a strategic need for additional senior corporate leadership in the San Francisco office, particularly as the region sees increased growth‑stage financing activity and anticipated IPO momentum.
Prior to joining WilmerHale, Johnson was a partner and co‑head of the capital markets practice at an AmLaw 100 firm, with prior experience practicing in London and across the United States. She has served as President of the Bar Association of San Francisco and the Justice & Diversity Center, is a leader in the Legal Alliance for Reproductive Rights, and is a frequent speaker and writer on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and transactional matters. She is also one of the lead editors of Environmental, Social, Governance: The Professional’s Guide to the Law and Practice of ESG (ABA).
Johnson earned her JD from Stanford Law School, where she served on the Stanford Law Review, and her AB, cum laude, from Harvard University.