Practice Areas
Education
- B.S.B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1981
- J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1985, with high honors; Order of the Coif; Research Editor, University of North Carolina Law Review
Bar & Court Admissions
- Georgia, 2019
- North Carolina, 1985

Suite 4700
Charlotte, NC 28202-4003
Danny Johnson represents large and mid-size businesses and professional service firms regarding the implementation and administration of their employee benefit plans and compensation arrangements.
Danny has more than 35 years of experience with a wide range of employee benefit and executive employment matters, including public company clients in connection with their executive compensation programs and dealing with golden parachute severance issues that arise in merger, acquisition, divestiture and corporate finance transactions. He is regularly involved with complex transactions involving ESOPs, including ESOP implementation and finance transactions, ESOP administration issues and transactions involving the sale of ESOP-owned companies. Danny also helps his diverse clients with administrative proceedings, investigations and audits by the Internal Revenue Service, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and the United States Department of Labor.
Of Note
- Chambers USA-North Carolina, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, 2020
- Best Lawyers in America, Charlotte Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law "Lawyer of the Year", 2021
- Best Lawyers in America, Charlotte Litigation-ERISA "Lawyer of the Year", 2017, 2020
- Best Lawyers in America, Litigation-ERISA, 2015-2020; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2016-2021
- International Law Office and Lexology, Client Choice Awards 2013 recipient for Employment & Labor in North Carolina
- Former Member, Board of Advisors, University of North Carolina Tax Institute
- Previously employed in the tax department of the Charlotte office of KPMG LLP (then known as Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co.)
News
- Moore & Van Allen Team Implemented 100 percent ESOP Transaction
- Best Lawyers ® Recognizes 93 Moore & Van Allen attorneys
- MVA recognized at The Deal Awards Middle Market 2020
- Chambers & Partners Recognizes Moore & Van Allen Attorneys and Practices in 2020 USA Guide
- MVA advises Capital Vision Services during acquisition
- Best Lawyers® recognizes 83 Moore & Van Allen attorneys
Speaking Engagements
- MVA attending the ESOP Association’s Professionals’ Forum, January 2020
- Johnson Invited to Speak at TACTIX, September 26, 2013
- MVA Attorneys Co-Organize Second Annual Directors Event, September 2012
- Johnson to Sit on Wall Street Journal/Hay Group CEO Compensation Panel, May 2, 2011
- Johnson to speak on Executive Pay Panel, June 23, 2010
- Research Triangle Park Employment & Labor Client Seminar 2010, April 21, 2010
Publications
- April 2012
- Employment & Labor, Employee Benefits & Global Immigration Update February 2011
- Cobra Subsidy: New Notice & Tax Credit Procedures January 11, 2010
- Employment & Labor, Employee Benefits & Global Immigration Update December 14, 2009
- February 20, 2009
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- North Carolina Bar Association
- The ESOP Association