Voice of Experience: Dixie Johnson, Partner, King & Spalding

“When I was growing up, I aspired to be a 5th grade school teacher,” said Dixie Johnson, Partner, King & Spalding, “and when I was twenty-one years old, I realized this career goal.” Johnson loved teaching and was very fulfilled by this career path, but when she stopped to consider the longevity of a career in education, she determined that this might not be the direction she wanted to take her career. This is when her professional life took an unexpected turn and propelled her toward a career in law.

“Every job is a stepping stone the builds your portfolio in the future,” Johnson said. “Be open to changing directions.”

Career Path in Law

In order to keep her teaching certification, Johnson was required to complete a graduate degree. “I decided to get my MBA at night while I was teaching during the day,” said Johnson. It was here that she was advised to attend law school at the urging of her Business Law professor who read her first exam and saw something special in Johnson. “This is one of those lessons in life,” explained Johnson.

“If people are paying attention and care enough to vocalize their observations, it can change somebody’s life, which is exactly what this professor did for me.”

Although Johnson was not entirely convinced that she wanted to become a lawyer, she ultimately listened to the advice of her professor, took a leave of absence from teaching, and applied to the local law school in Albuquerque, NM. Since Johnson always had an affinity for math, she had an early interest in tax law, but when the tax code changed twice while she was in law school, she reconsidered this area and began to look more closely at securities law instead. “It is a heavily regulated field where lawyers are necessary, and I found it very intriguing,” Johnson explained. “As it turned out, my professor was right. I loved law school and quickly realized that it was a very good fit for me,” said Johnson. By the end of her third year, Johnson was headed to Washington, D.C. to practice law. “I came as a first year associate and stayed for twenty-seven years,” Johnson recalled. She joined Fried Frank in 1986 in the corporate department working on corporate transactions and enforcement work.

“It took me about three years to determine which field I wanted to devote my legal career to, but I found that helping people prepare to present their case to the government was something that I enjoyed very much,” said Johnson.

In January 2014, Johnson moved to King & Spalding, where she is a partner. Despite never having worked for the government, Johnson is proud of the fact that she has built a strong reputation and emerged as a leader in securities law.

Trends in Securities Law

According to Johnson, the impact of the Jobs Act is something she is very interested in and will be following closely in the future.

“Companies are experiencing streamlined access to capital raising, and some of the pausing moments in the process are not there anymore,” explained Johnson. “The federal securities laws are not always straightforward and going on your instinct without consulting with counsel, you can’t adequately anticipate what the laws require.”

It has been fascinating to practice securities law during such a dynamic time in the financial services industry, said Johnson, who often represents large corporations. “As a financial institution, it is difficult to be under such a large amount of scrutiny, but with that said, banks have a huge responsibility,” said Johnson.

Women in Law

When Johnson first started her career in law, she acknowledged the fact that the environment was very different, especially for women who were emerging on the scene in what had been a traditionally male-dominated landscape. “It was a different environment,” said Johnson, “but I was fortunate to work with a lot of people who were supportive of advancing women.” She added, “Even today, it is important to have the respect and support of both women and men as you progress in your career.” Being a woman in law has afforded her a lot of unique opportunities, Johnson said, including frequent speaking engagements. “These opportunities gave me positive exposure and helped my career advancement,” she said. Having a strong support system at home is one thing that Johnson indicated has been instrumental in her success and longevity as a lawyer. Johnson and her husband, who is also a partner at a law firm, have both worked full-time while raising their two boys, now 18 and 20 years old.

“We have lived by the mantra that neither one of us would quit during a tough time,” Johnson noted. “It can be hard to be a parent and work in a law practice, especially when you need to be available to clients when they need you.” Johnson continued, “The right time to make a key decision about your career is when all of the factors are set up such that you could be successful if you chose a particular path.”

When Johnson became a partner, she was pregnant at the time and she was not sure whether or not she would return to the practice. However, she and her husband made the decision to create a situation that would allow her to go back if that is what she wanted. “I didn’t know how I would feel or how hard it would be,” said Johnson, “but this is where the support system was critical.”

Giving Back

“I have had the opportunity to mentor so many young lawyers and help them in their career development,” said Johnson, “and it is so rewarding to keep in touch with them, watch them progress and advance, and see their growth and the people they become.” This is one of the most gratifying aspects of her job, according to Johnson. In addition to taking an active role in mentoring young associates, Johnson is also dedicated to giving back to the legal community through her volunteer work with the ABA in the Business Law section, of which she is the chairperson. “We are very focused on advancing diversity among lawyers in business law,” said Johnson. “This has been a fulfilling part of my mission during my time working with the ABA.” While Johnson is still learning about all of the networking opportunities at King & Spalding, she said that the high percentage of smart and talented women at the firm was something that attracted her there in the first place. “I continue to meet really interesting women here who inspire me every day,” Johnson noted.

In Her Spare Time

When she is not at the office, Johnson prioritizes family time as much as possible. “Now that my youngest son is graduating high school and heading off to college, my husband and I are looking forward to picking up ballroom dancing again,” Johnson said.

By Michelle Hendelman