Um homem de fato e gravata às riscas vermelhas num moderno escritório de advogados com paredes de vidro, representando os principais advogados de Chicago, entre elementos de fundo desfocados.

Nicholas R. Johnson

Advogado sénior

Nicholas R. Johnson

Advogado sénior

Nick Johnson é um advogado especializado em regulamentação e meio ambiente que ajuda os clientes a gerir riscos comerciais, alcançar a conformidade e avançar com objetivos estratégicos em setores altamente regulamentados. Ele assessora empresas em questões de legislação ambiental, desenvolvimento de energias renováveis, regulamentação de alimentos e bebidas, conformidade com a legislação sobre cannabis e cânhamo e segurança de produtos de consumo. Com experiência tanto em consultoria como em litígios, Nick oferece soluções práticas e focadas nos negócios para desafios regulatórios complexos.

In the environmental and energy sectors, Nick represents renewable energy developers, lenders, and investors in permitting, siting, and financing matters. He advises on environmental compliance for solar, wind, and distributed energy projects, including land use and zoning, wetlands, endangered species, and federal and state environmental statutes such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). He regularly conducts environmental due diligence for corporate transactions, counsels on ongoing compliance issues, and helps clients address emerging contaminants (such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)) and product stewardship laws (such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws).

Nick also advises food and beverage companies on regulatory compliance across the product lifecycle, including FDA, USDA, and TTB requirements, labeling, recalls, alcoholic beverage regulation, claims substantiation and consumer class action risks, and manufacturing best practices. He frequently counsels manufacturers and retailers on compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill and evolving state requirements for industrial hemp and cannabidiol (CBD) products.

In addition, Nick has also defended clients in product liability and toxic tort litigation, managing discovery, working with expert witnesses, and briefing dispositive motions.  Nick’s litigation background gives him a unique perspective on regulatory counseling, allowing him to identify potential disputes or high-risk practices quickly and shape compliance strategies that reduce long-term risk.

Experiência de representação

Environmental Regulatory Experience

Nick has substantial experience in all facets of environmental law and corporate environmental risk management, including both contested proceedings and regulatory guidance and advice. Nick routinely works with buyers, sellers, investment funds, and lenders to highlight and mitigate environmental risk in the context of corporate transactions. He has helped clients navigate through the complexities of the CERCLA cleanup and cost recovery process, including the preparation and review of remedial investigations, risk assessments, and feasibility studies. His environmental counseling work includes advising clients on best practices relating to emerging contaminants, such as PFAs (e.g., PFOA and PFOS).

Energy Industry Experience

Nick is an active member of Foley’s Energy Industry Team, focusing on counseling client in all aspects of permitting, land use, and environmental compliance relating to the development, construction, ownership, and operation of renewable energy facilities. He routinely advises project owners and developers of solar and wind projects on land use and zoning requirements, wetlands regulations, NEPA and analog state statutes, and endangered species issues. Nick also represents lenders and tax equity investors that provide financing to solar and wind projects, including performing comprehensive permitting and environmental due diligence and negotiating related provisions of financing documents. Nick also advises clients on environmental issues related to district energy, microgrid, and trigen facilities, including performing due diligence for proposed acquisitions and advising on ongoing compliance issues, including emissions compliance.

Food and Beverage Regulatory Experience

Nick advises food and beverage companies on food-related regulatory matters, including products liability, alcoholic beverage requirements, permitting matters, product recalls, and manufacturing best practices. He is well-versed in USDA, FDA, TTB, and state/local food safety requirements.

Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Experience

Nick is a member of the Cannabis Industry team and advises clients on the marketing of industrial hemp and CBD in food and beverage products. Nick has advised retailers, manufacturers, and universities on compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill relating to industrial hemp as well as state requirements for the marketing of hemp and CBD. Nick is licensed to practice law in Illinois and has helped cannabis clients sort through Illinois’ quickly-changing cannabis regulatory regime.

Consumer Products Safety Experience

Nick has represented clients in connection with Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) matters, including counseling on recalls and voluntary reporting situations, working with experts on product certification issues, and designing comprehensive corporate product safety programs.

Experiência em litígios

Nick has litigated products liability and toxic tort claims due to alleged exposure to manufactured substances. Throughout the course of his litigation practice, he has managed all aspects of the discovery process, worked closely with retained experts, and engaged in significant motion practice, including dispositive motions.

Filiações

  • Member, Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago (LAGBAC)
  • Member, Board of Directors of the Cream City Foundation, a Milwaukee non-profit focused on mobilizing philanthropic resources to the LGBTQ+ community
1 de dezembro de 2025 Pontos de vista da Foley

A redefinição federal do cânhamo: impactos, incertezas e próximos passos para as empresas

O Congresso fechou efetivamente a «brecha do cânhamo» que permitiu uma explosão de produtos derivados do cânhamo — particularmente bebidas — caindo...
17 de setembro de 2025 Negócios e ganhos

Foley aconselha a CloserStill Media na aquisição da Billington Cybersecurity

Foley & Lardner LLP actuou como consultor jurídico da CloserStill Media, produtora de eventos empresariais, exposições e conferências líderes de mercado, na sua aquisição da Billington Cybersecurity, organizadora de conferências e eventos de cibersegurança do sector público dos EUA.
August 4, 2025 Energy Current

The Shifting Winds in Federal Energy Policy: Department of the Interior Implements Sweeping New Review Requirements for Wind and Solar Energy Projects

On July 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a memorandum establishing significantly heightened review procedures...
18 de junho de 2025 Negócios e ganhos

Foley Representa a Johnny Clean Car Wash na Venda à El Car Wash

Foley & Lardner LLP actuou como consultor jurídico da Johnny Clean Car Wash na sua venda à El Car Wash, uma empresa do portfólio da Warburg Pincus.
27 de março de 2025 Negócios e ganhos

Foley representa a Housatonic Partners e a Universal Gaming Group na combinação da Universal Gaming Group com o negócio de jogos da Delaware North

Foley & Lardner LLP representou a Housatonic Partners e a Universal Gaming Group (UGG), um operador de route-gaming do Illinois, na recente combinação da UGG com a Gaming & Entertainment Management - Illinois LLC (GEM), uma subsidiária da empresa global de hospitalidade e entretenimento Delaware North.
Assorted non-perishable food items, perfect for Chicago lawyers or law offices needing convenient snacks—includes a bottle of cooking oil, two types of grains in plastic bags, round biscuits in plastic, and three tin cans.
February 20, 2025 Manufacturing Industry Advisor

Make Food “Healthy” Again: FDA’s Resolution for a Healthier 2025

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration began 2025 with a resolution to make food “healthy” again by announcing a trio of new final and proposed rules that are intended to make it easier for consumers to identify healthy food choices.