The legal community is mourning the death of Justin L. Johnson, vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Atlanta Life Financial Group. Mr. Johnson, 41, died on Aug. 21, 2004, in an automobile accident that occurred west of Atlanta, Ga.
"Atlanta Life has lost a member of our corporate family," says Ronald Brown, president and chief executive officer, Atlanta Life Financial Group. "Justin's commitment to excellence and leadership was recognized throughout the industry. He was an invaluable member of the Atlanta Life team. He will be sorely missed," he remarks.
Mr. Johnson joined Atlanta Life Financial Group in July 1997. For more than 16 years, Mr. Johnson practiced corporate, litigation, finance, employment, and regulatory law.
"Justin diligently practiced his craft," says William A. Clement, chairman of the board of directors, Atlanta Life Financial Group, and chairman and chief executive officer of Dobbs Ram & Company. "Justin served Atlanta Life, the board of directors, and the Atlanta community with distinction," says Clement.
Prior to joining Atlanta Life, Mr. Johnson served as an assistant city attorney for the city of Atlanta; staff attorney for the Resolution Trust Corporation; counsel for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.; associate attorney with Alston & Bird; and associate attorney with Klett Lieber Rooney & Schorling. He also served as a commissioner on the City of Pittsburgh Civil Service Commission. Mr. Johnson graduated, with honors, from the University of Chicago in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He earned a juris doctorate in 1986 from Harvard University Law School.
"Justin's commitment to excellence and leadership was recognized throughout the industry. He was an invaluable member of the Atlanta Life team. he will be sorely missed."
– Ronald Brown
"Justin was serious-minded and dedicated with a keen sense of responsibility," says Henrietta Antoinin, vice president of public relations, Atlanta Life Financial Group. "Anything Justin started, he completed meticulously," she adds.
"This is a tragic loss for the Atlanta community," says John Grant, executive director and chief operating officer of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta. "Justin contributed so much to our organization in such a short time. We are grateful to have had his leadership and participation," says Grant.
A native of Pittsburgh, Penn., Mr. Johnson was a past president of the Georgia Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) and a leader in ACC's pro bono and diversity efforts locally and nationally.
Mr. Johnson also held memberships with the following organizations: American Bar Association; National Bar Association; Laws and Legislation Committee of the Life Insurers Council (LIC); 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and was a participant in the United Way Volunteer Involvement Program.
Additionally, he served on the following boards and committees: Jones/Carver Boys & Girls Clubs; Sweet Auburn Business and Improvement Association; The Atlanta Children's Shelter; and several others. Mr. Johnson was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2001.
He also found time to assist MCCA® in its efforts. He will truly be missed by everyone whose lives he touched.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his parents, the Honorable Justin M. Johnson and Florence Lester Johnson; a brother, William Johnson; a sister, Elizabeth Johnson Barnes; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, a niece, and two nephews.
I. Clayvon Lighty is the editor-in-chief of Diversity & the Bar®.
From the November/December 2004 issue of Diversity & The Bar®