Carolyn J. Johnsen

Carolyn J. Johnsen

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

5.0 (1 reviews)
Phoenix, Arizona
37+ years experience
Dickinson Wright PLLC
Updated:

Contact Information

1850 North Central Avenue, Suite 1400, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Login to Contact

Create an account to contact this attorney

Bio

Carolyn (“CJ”) Johnsen has over 30 years’ experience representing debtors, creditor committees, and lenders in complex multi-million dollar reorganizations. Her expertise spans a wide-range of industries including healthcare, mortgage lending, real estate, manufacturing, retail, refining, hospitality, aviation and energy-related. She was lead counsel in one of the largest real estate bankruptcies filed in Arizona, has counseled Arizona’s largest utility company on bankruptcy issues, and has confirmed nearly 50 chapter 11 plans in the course of her career.Ms. Johnsen has advised private and public corporations in formulating and implementing managerial, personnel and operational structures. Ms. Johnsen has also guided numerous boards and senior managers in developing strategies and solutions for revising operations and restructuring debt to effectuate the emergence of a stronger business through bankruptcy, or to take advantage of acquisition and sale opportunities, including the application of bankruptcy procedures favorable to corporate securities regulation compliance. In addition, Ms. Johnsen has negotiated multiple multi-million-dollar transactions with lenders, investment bankers and brokers, asset purchasers and sellers, and governmental agencies.Ms. Johnsen has received awards for her successful reorganization efforts by the Turnaround Management Association and the M & A Advisor. She was selected one of Arizona’s Top 100 lawyers in 2019. Carolyn (“CJ”) Johnsen has over 30 years’ experience representing debtors, creditor committees, and lenders in complex multi-million dollar reorganizations. Her expertise spans a wide-range of industries including healthcare, mortgage lending, real estate, manufacturing, retail, refining, hospitality, aviation and energy-related. She was lead counsel in one of the largest real estate bankruptcies filed in Arizona, has counseled Arizona’s largest utility company on bankruptcy issues, and has confirmed nearly 50 chapter 11 plans in the course of her career.Ms. Johnsen has advised private and public corporations in formulating and implementing managerial, personnel and operational structures. Ms. Johnsen has also guided numerous boards and senior managers in developing strategies and solutions for revising operations and restructuring debt to effectuate the emergence of a stronger business through bankruptcy, or to take advantage of acquisition and sale opportunities, including the application of bankruptcy procedures favorable to corporate securities regulation compliance. In addition, Ms. Johnsen has negotiated multiple multi-million-dollar transactions with lenders, investment bankers and brokers, asset purchasers and sellers, and governmental agencies.Ms. Johnsen has received awards for her successful reorganization efforts by the Turnaround Management Association and the M & A Advisor. She was selected one of Arizona’s Top 100 lawyers in 2019. Carolyn (“CJ”) Johnsen has over 30 years’ experience representing debtors, creditor committees, and lenders in complex multi-million dollar reorganizations. Her expertise spans a wide-range of industries including healthcare, mortgage lending, real estate, manufacturing, retail, refining, hospitality, aviation and energy-related. She was lead counsel in one of the largest real estate bankruptcies filed in Arizona, has counseled Arizona’s largest utility company on bankruptcy issues, and has confirmed nearly 50 chapter 11 plans in the course of her career. Ms. In addition, Ms. Johnsen has negotiated multiple multi-million-dollar transactions with lenders, investment bankers and brokers, asset purchasers and sellers, and governmental agencies. Ms. Johnsen has received awards for her successful reorganization efforts by the Turnaround Management Association and the M & A Advisor. She was selected one of Arizona’s Top 100 lawyers in 2019.

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Recognized: Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Practice Area: International Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Special Focus: Chapter 12
  • Special Focus: Commercial
  • Special Focus: Committee Representation
  • Special Focus: Creditor Committees
  • Special Focus: Creditors' Rights
  • Special Focus: Debtors' Rights
  • Special Focus: Litigation
  • Special Focus: Trustee Representation
  • Special Focus: Workouts and Restructurings

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2008

Education

  • Texas Tech University, J.D., graduated 1988

Reviews

P

Patricia Davis

2 weeks ago

A Lifeline During Our Company's Financial Restructuring

Our manufacturing firm faced a complex, multi-state Chapter 11 reorganization that threatened everything. We turned to Carolyn Johnsen at Dickinson Wright, and it was the best decision we could have made. Leveraging her 37 years of deep experience in creditor-debtor rights and insolvency law, CJ provided a clear, strategic path forward. Her recognized expertise in litigation and international M&A was invaluable when dealing with our overseas suppliers. She was unflappably professional yet personally invested in our survival. The result was a successful reorganization that preserved our core business and jobs. Her guidance wasn't just legal advice; it was a masterclass in navigating financial crisis.

Write a Review

Please login to leave a review for this attorney.

Login to Review

Don't have an account? Create one

Related Attorneys

Wendy Smith

Wendy Smith

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Memphis, TN
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
Anthony W. Tony Clark

Anthony W. Tony Clark

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Wilmington, DE
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
Edwin C. Ed Bull

Edwin C. Ed Bull

Land Use and Zoning Law

Phoenix, AZ
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
J. Mitchell Mitch Carrington

J. Mitchell Mitch Carrington

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Nashville, TN
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile