Harold Johnson

Hal Johnson, J.D., specializes in education and insurance and is a partner at the firm of Williams Mullins in Richmond, Virginia. As co-chair of the firm’s Education Practice, he works with educational institutions on various matters, both inside and outside the courtroom. He advises colleges and independent schools regarding board-level governance; Title IX investigations and compliance in the areas of sexual assault and athletics; FERPA and privacy issues; student conduct codes and disciplinary proceedings; endowment management and the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (“UPMIFA”); employment disputes and tenure denial decisions; policies regarding free speech and political speech on campus; Department of Education and/or Office of Civil Rights investigations; facilities management, as well as risk management and insurance needs. Hal has also served as an independent investigator for sensitive or complicated internal investigations regarding complaints over faculty conduct, as well as student discipline and sexual misconduct cases. He also has successfully defended educational institutions in a variety of types of litigation, including civil rights and due process claims for wrongful dismissal of a student, as well as personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Hal also devotes a significant portion of his practice to insurance, and he regularly advises clients regarding their insurance needs and represents them when disputes over coverage arise. In addition to his work in the insurance and education arenas, Hal handles general commercial litigation for the firm’s clients. In courts throughout Virginia, he has litigated contract cases, business tort and defamation claims, state and local tax appeals, personal injury and wrongful death claims, and other assorted litigation.

Hal is listed in Virginia Business’ “Legal Elite” (2008, 2010-present); Virginia Super Lawyers for General Litigation (2018-present); and The Best Lawyers in America© for Litigation – Insurance (2020). He previously was listed in Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2008-2017).
Hal received his Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction from the University of Virginia, where he was a Jefferson Scholar and an Echols Scholar. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Hal received his Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction from the University of Virginia, where he was a Jefferson Scholar and an Echols Scholar. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.