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

        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...
        Blog

        Hurry Up and Wait

        This is the third in a series of Verrill blog posts on Maine’s packaging extended producer responsibility (“EPR”) law[1]. In July we reported...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Discusses First Brands Chapter 11 Case in Law360

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was recently quoted in a Law360 article examining the rejection of First Brands Group's Chapter 11 plan and the...
        Media Mentions

        Cybersecurity and AI Governance: Scott Anderson Featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        Verrill Managing Partner Scott Anderson was recently featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly discussing how law firms can build attorney buy-in for...
        Blog

        Section 530A Account Update: ERISA Status of Trump Accounts

        The Department of Labor has issued important guidance addressing whether employer programs that permit contributions to Section 530A accounts (and...
        Press Releases

        97 Verrill Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2027, Including Four Named Lawyers of the Year

        AUGUSTA, Maine, BANGOR, Maine, BOSTON, Mass., PORTLAND, Maine, and WESTPORT, Conn., (August 20, 2026) – Verrill is proud to announce that 97...