With a background in civil engineering and project management, Mr. Johnston focuses on leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, construction matters, and real estate finance. Leveraging his experience in commercial real estate with developers, builders, architects, engineers, owners and end users, his practice includes work for real estate developers, contractors, designers, owners, lenders, borrowers, landlords and tenants in a wide range of real estate and construction matters. 

Prior to joining Vedder Price, Mr. Johnston was a real estate associate at a Chicago law firm. Before law school, he was a project engineer for Gilbane Building Company, and, during his five-year tenure with the full-service construction company, Mr. Johnston also became a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and completed the OSHA 30-hour intensive certification in construction safety. 

Mr. Johnston has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for the categories of Construction Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law since 2023, as well as the Real Estate Law category in 2024.