Jennifer Piskun Johnson
Of CounselAbout
Jennifer is a litigator and corporate advisor who maximizes her clients’ success by conducting early risk assessments, developing comprehensive strategies, and providing tailored business solutions. She has extensive experience navigating high-stakes commercial litigation, legislative, and regulatory issues, and previously served as in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company.
Jennifer’s career began at a large national law firm before she was swiftly recruited by Governor George W. Bush to serve as his Public Education Counsel. She spearheaded the development and advocacy of the Governor’s education platform at the state and federal levels, drafting legislation that remains law today. Jennifer initially joined GDHM in 2001, where she practiced litigation for eight years, becoming Shareholder, and later transitioning to life as a full-time mother. She rejoined the practice of law as the Corporate Claims Counsel for one of the largest insurance carriers in the country. She brings over 25 years of experience that includes courtroom, boardroom, public service, legislative, and in-house leadership.
Jennifer is the proud mother of twin teenage girls and is actively involved in the community as a volunteer for several non-profit organizations. She is an avid tennis player, fly-fisherwoman, lover of Colorado, aficionado of queso, and has never met a Labrador Retriever that she doesn’t like.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Admitted to State Bar of Texas, 1994.
- Admitted to practice before the following courts: U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Western, and Northern Districts of Texas; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
- Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A. 1989); Order of Omega; President, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.
- University of Houston Law Center (J.D., cum laude); Order of the Barons; Order of Barristers.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Advisor for a national insurance carrier as Corporate Claims Counsel, guiding the strategic direction of its business unit by supporting the product and governmental relations teams for the State of Texas, providing legal case management and consultation, and managing fraud, fire and theft, risk assessment, product and special lines, strategy, and first and third-party litigation.
- Represented a national commercial insurance carrier in multimillion-dollar dispute involving Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) and trademark infringement allegations.
- Represented an inside director in the high-profile Enron litigation, spearheading depositions, mass discovery alignment, and prolific defense motions.
- Deputized and hired to represent the State of Texas and its entities in insurance fraud and compliance litigation.
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
- The Junior League of Austin
- Recording Secretary
- Coats for Kids – Chair
- Bylaws – Chair
- Financial Development Vice President
- Helping Hand Home for Children, Austin
- Present Chair, Human Resources Support Committee
- Foster Care Committee
- Bylaws Committee
- Board Member: Foundation Committee
- The Thinkery
- Past Member of the Board of Directors and Capital Campaign
- Sam Houston Society: Friends of the Governor’s Mansion
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- Nominated by the Board of Directors with Annual Reappointment
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AWARDS AND HONORS
- Texas Bar Foundation Fellow and Founding Member
- Texas Rising Legal Star – Peer Nominated, Multiple Years
- Leadership Austin (Class of 2006 – 2007)
- Austin Under 40 – Legal Finalist