Attorneys in Charlotte, North Carolina

H. Morrison “Morry” Johnston
Main image for H. Morrison “Morry” Johnston

H. Morrison “Morry” Johnston

In Memoriam


Outside of
Work

Outside of Work

One of Morry’s favorite life-style slogans was “Life is not a spectator sport." He embraced this concept fully and lived accordingly, whether it was playing golf, hunting, fishing or, in his earlier years, racing enduro motorcycles.

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • North Carolina
Court Admissions
  • North Carolina Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Education

  • University of North Carolina School of Law (JD, with Honors, 1962)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (AB-LLB, 1960)

Associations

Professional

Community

  • UMAR Services, Inc., Past Chairman of the Board of Directors
  • Charlotte Country Club, Past Member of the Board of Governors

Outside of
Work

Outside of Work

One of Morry’s favorite life-style slogans was “Life is not a spectator sport." He embraced this concept fully and lived accordingly, whether it was playing golf, hunting, fishing or, in his earlier years, racing enduro motorcycles.

Morry Johnston was a foundational figure at Johnston Allison Hord and trusted counsel to many of North Carolina’s most influential privately held businesses.  He advised some of the most recognizable family-owned companies and business leaders in their mergers, acquisitions, state and federal tax planning, business transformation, growth, and succession strategies for generations. Morry built lasting relationships with his clients based on trust, expertise, and a deep understanding of his clients’ business.

As leader of the firm, Morry set the standard for building efficient teams that effectively and genuinely serve firm clients. Guided by his mantra “Find any excuse to personally get in front of a client,” he insisted that attorneys build face to face relationships with clients. In the increasingly digital world, he instilled a culture of personal connection and integrity that continues to shape the firm today.

Representative Experience

  • An area in which I have enjoyed a great deal of success is assisting closely held family companies to transition management and ownership of the family company to the next generation. In one case there was a father with two sons and I worked closely with the father to devise an estate plan by which the younger son would have control of the company and the older son would be equally compensated by receiving non-voting stock in the company plus non-company assets. Following the father’s death the older son initiated litigation in an effort to have the company sold. While the litigators fought the court battles I worked behind the scenes with my counterpart in the other law firm to resolve the conflict in keeping with the father’s wishes.
  • Represents numerous clients in substantial income tax and estate tax matters.
  • Represents closely held companies in major asset purchases and sales.
  • Represents major textile company in corporate matters.

News / Events

Honors / Awards

  • Business North Carolina “Legal Elite” - Business Law (2021)
  • The Best Lawyers in America© - Trusts & Estates (2024)
  • Order of the Coif, University of North Carolina School of Law
  • Attorney, Chief Counsel's Office, Internal Revenue Service (1962-1966)
  • North Carolina Law Review, Board of Editors (1960-1961), Business Manager (1961-1962)