Amy Johnston Elected Chair of Miller Canfield Managing Directors

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Amy Johnston
Amy Johnston // Photo courtesy of Miller Canfield

Miller Canfield, an international law firm based in Detroit with offices in five other Michigan cities, announced Amy Johnston has been elected to serve as chair of the firm’s managing directors.

Along with Megan Norris, CEO of Miller Canfield, who began her role earlier this year, this election marks the first time the two top firm positions are both held by women. The top executives are joined by another woman, Michelle Crockett, in the deputy executive officer and chief diversity officer role.

“Amy has provided solid leadership as a managing director, and the firm is better and stronger for it,” says Norris. “Her business savvy and understanding of the workings of the firm will serve us well as the directors move forward with their vision.”

Johnston is a principal attorney and the co-leader of Miller Canfield’s litigation and dispute resolution group. She has served on the firm’s five-member board of managing directors since her election in 2016, but this is her first time as board chair.

In the role, Johnston will focus on attracting and retaining talent from a diverse candidate pool. She will also continue the firm’s investment in improving its technological infrastructure.

She succeeds Joseph Fazio, who served as chair from 2010-2013 and then again in 2020. He was on the board for more than a decade.

Johnston was named in Hour Detroit’s Top Women Legal Leaders list in 2021 and as one of the best women lawyers in America by Best Lawyers in 2020. Johnston has also been recognized in the top five women lawyers and top 10 women business lawyers by Leading Lawyers. Michigan Lawyers Weekly has her on its 2014 Women in the Law list.

She has been recognized on U.S. News World Report’s Top 25 Women Lawyers in Michigan list since 2016, Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan since 2011, and Best Lawyers in America since 2008.

Johnston has been a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, which is a trial lawyer honorary society, since 2007.

She received her juris doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and her bachelor’s degree in general studies from the University of Michigan. Johnston is licensed in Michigan and Ohio.

Johnston says she is excited to work with the board to move the firm, which has 18 offices across the U.S. and internationally, forward.

“The firm is fortunate to have such a dynamic and energetic group of managing directors. It’s an honor and privilege to serve as the chair,” Johnston says. “I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and our new CEO to achieve our goals.”