Cheryl L. Johnson

        Counsel

        Cheryl has a diverse business law practice including taxation, entity structuring and operations, business planning, and specialized securities law matters.

        Having broad experience in transactional tax matters (including domestic and international transactions, mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and financings); exempt organization business planning; partnership/limited liability company organization, taxation, and operations; and business succession planning, Cheryl advises clients, outside counsel, and key client business advisors on when to go forward with business dealings and when to walk away.

        Cheryl also has a broad practice advising investment funds and their advisors (including private equity funds, fund of funds, and hedge funds) and opportunity zone funds.

        Cheryl was previously associated with the New York City law firms Debevoise & Plimpton and Shereff, Friedman, Hoffman & Goodman.

        Cheryl has served on the boards of a number of charitable organizations with particular experience with, and service to, libraries, educational and senior assistance organizations, land trusts, and other land conservation organizations.

        While at home in Bridgewater, Connecticut, Cheryl plays with her grandchildren and teaches them about chickens, guinea fowl, gardening, and the assorted wild animals that also wander through the property. An avid runner, tennis player, cyclist, and advanced Certified Master Gardener, Cheryl loves to spend time outdoors.

        Services/Industries

        Education

        • New York University  (LL.M.)
          • Taxation
        • State University of New York, Buffalo  (J.D., cum laude)
        • Lafayette College  (B.A., magna cum laude)
          • Phi Beta Kappa

        Bar Admissions

        • Connecticut
        • New York

        Court and Other Admissions

        • U.S. Tax Court

        Memberships

        • Connecticut Bar Association
        • American Bar Association, Section of Taxation; Business Law Section
        • New York Bar Association, Section of Taxation

        Honors

        • Recognized in the Legal 500 US City Elite Rankings – Corporate and M&A (Connecticut)
        • AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
        • Recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business under Corporate/M&A

        Learn more about the third-party ratings, rankings, and selection processes used for inclusion.

        Firm Highlights

        Blog

        Working 9 to 5? It’s a Way to Make a Livin’, so Make Sure You’re Payin’ for Every Minute: A Maine Employer’s Guide to Stacked Wage & Hour Rules

        Four decades after Dolly Parton gave us both the namesake anthem of the American workday and the film about three fed-up office workers’ dreams of...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Can AI Pass the Doctor Test? FDA Considers Physician-Inspired Evaluation of GenAI Devices and Other Regulatory Measures

        AI is entering healthcare with indomitable will. It promises to increase efficiency, reduce administrative burden (which healthcare providers so...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Attorney Annabel Rodriguez Named Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill attorney Annabel Rodriguez has been recognized as a Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and will be...
        Blog

        What Employee Benefits Lawyers Do (and How to Make the Best Use of Us)

        What do employee benefits lawyers do all day and how can clients make the best use of them? This post offers an overview of the kinds of things...
        Media Mentions

        Bloomberg Law Quotes Robert Keach on Expanded Access to Small Business Reorganization

        Verrill attorney Bob Keach was recently featured in Bloomberg Law, discussing legislation that would raise debt limits for bankruptcy relief and...
        Blog

        Phil Bartlett to Step Down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission

        On September 15, 2026, Governor Janet Mills announced that Phil Bartlett will step down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC)...
        Published Works

        Jay McCormack and Michael Fee Co-Author AHLA Article on Skin Substitute Enforcement Trends

        Verrill Partners Jay McCormack and Michael Fee co-authored an article for the American Health Law Association's Fraud and Abuse Practice Group...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Health Care & Life Sciences Attorney Elpida Velmahos

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to announce that Elpida Velmahos has joined the firm’s Health Care & Life Sciences Group as an...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Litigation & Trial Attorney Emma Pooler

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill is pleased to announce that Emma Pooler has joined the firm’s Litigation & Trial Group as an Associate, resident in...
        Published Works

        Four Verrill Attorneys Co-Author Massachusetts Trends and Developments Chapter for Chambers and Partners Child Relocation 2026 Guide

        Verrill attorneys Mary H. Schmidt, Rachel A. Deering, Hannah R. Zukoff, and Mariah G. Tappan co-authored the “Trends and Developments” chapter...
        Blog

        A New Protected Class in Maine: Holders of Final Protection Orders

        In the lead-up to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, employers may be taking a closer look at how their policies and practices respond to...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Verrill Secures SJC Victory for Boston Legacy FC in White Stadium Litigation

        Verrill has secured a significant appellate victory for Boston Legacy FC in the litigation challenging the redevelopment of White Stadium in...