Ireland Stapleton Welcomes Craig N. Johnson as Director

Ireland Stapleton is pleased to announce that Craig Johnson has joined the Firm as a Director, bringing more than 30 years of legal experience and deep knowledge of Colorado’s electric utility industry.

Johnson has spent much of his career advising electric utilities and energy organizations on complex legal, regulatory, operational and strategic matters. Most recently, he served as Director of Policy and Strategy and General Counsel for the Colorado Rural Electric Association (CREA), where he provided strategic policy direction and leadership to Colorado’s electric distribution cooperatives.

Previously, Johnson served as Chief Legal Officer for Colorado’s largest electric distribution cooperative and as Deputy General Counsel for Platte River Power Authority, a municipally owned wholesale electric generation and transmission utility serving four communities in northern Colorado.

His extensive utility experience includes negotiating power supply agreements and agreements related to the development of renewable energy projects, as well as advising on regulatory and environmental matters. His background provides him with a firsthand understanding of the legal, business and policy considerations facing utilities in an evolving energy landscape.

Johnson also brings significant private practice and law firm leadership experience to Ireland Stapleton. He began his career with a large national law firm and later served as managing director of a 45-attorney regional law firm in Denver. During his time in private practice, he represented numerous municipal utilities and served as outside general counsel to the Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities.

In addition to his utility-focused work, Johnson has handled a broad range of complex commercial matters, including environmental and construction litigation, insurance coverage disputes, employment matters, securities claims, and intellectual property disputes involving trademarks and trade secrets.

Johnson’s combination of in-house, private practice and executive leadership experience strengthens Ireland Stapleton’s ability to provide clients with trusted judgment and strategic counsel informed by a deep understanding of their industries and the challenges they face.

Welcome to Ireland Stapleton, Craig!

‍