$ 225-250 per hour
Brian is a founding member of Chapel Hill Family Law and has exclusively practiced family law in Orange, Chatham, and Durham Counties for more than ten years. Brian has successfully represented hundreds of clients in all manner of family law matters, including particularly challenging cases involving high net worth individuals, business valuations, domestic violence, high-conflict parties, mental illness, infidelity, substance abuse, individuals with substantial separate estates, and parents with special-needs children.
Brian graduated with Honors from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. His move south began when he started law school at The George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC, which is consistently ranked as one of the top-20 law schools in the country. Brian began his legal career practicing civil litigation with a well-known law firm in suburban Maryland just outside of Washington, DC. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Brian represented victims of the attacks through the Trial Lawyers Care pro bono program. Brian then transitioned to the practice of family law with one of the top Washington, DC-area family law firms. In 2005, Brian moved with his wife to Chapel Hill to follow her dream of working for her alma mater. Upon obtaining his North Carolina law license, Brian continued his career in family law, working at Lewis & Anderson, a renowned Chapel Hill family law firm, for nine years until the firm’s principal, Susan Lewis, retired from the full-time practice of family law. In 2014, Brian founded Chapel Hill Family Law with his colleague, Chellie Joines, to continue the tradition of excellence maintained by Lewis & Anderson.
Brian is a native Pennsylvanian who was born into a family now full of lawyers. His father has practiced law in Pennsylvania for more than forty-four years, and two of Brian’s three siblings are also lawyers. Brian lives in Chapel Hill with his wife, also a lawyer; his young son; and their often uncooperative and always enormous Newfoundland, Ernie. Brian enjoys spending time with his family, travel, and just about anything involving water. Brian has been highly involved with his son’s preschool, including serving on its Board of Directors as Chairman of the Board.
5
Practice Areas
25 years
25 years
25 years
25 years
$ 225-250 per hour
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Chat withState: North Carolina
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
State: Maryland
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
107 Conner Drive, Suite 210, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
24 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by anonymous | November 06, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Family
I highly recommend Attorney Brian Johnston!!
Attorney Brian Johnston and his team at Chapel Hill Family Law are top-notch! They have been incredibly professional, prompt in their communication and compassionate throughout my separation process. Brian walked me through each step of the separation/divorce process and was always available to answ...
Posted by Zachary | October 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Exceptional Legal Support by Brian Johnston at Chapel Hill Family Law
I recently found myself facing the unexpected challenge of a divorce and had the privilege of working with Brian Johnston at Chapel Hill Family Law. This was uncharted territory for me, and I needed expert guidance to make sound decisions during this trying time. From the very start, Brian demonstra...
Posted by anonymous | November 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Effective and Empathetic
I am grateful to have found Brian to support me through my separation. In our first meeting, he asked me specific questions to understand my situation and quickly provided me with options that made me feel like I had some leverage. He knew exactly how to proceed in the quickest, most efficient way po...
Posted by Kathy | January 13, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Great Divorce Attorney
Look no further for an amazing team that will be with you through the entire divorce process. Brian and his staff were extremely kind, informative and responsive with every detail of my divorce proceedings. Divorce, no matter if it is contentious or amicable, is always a difficult time, however, I ...
Posted by James | December 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Divorce proceedings
Brian was a great resource during my divorce. Because the monetary specifics of my case were spelled out in a separation agreement, I only had to visit the office twice. It was a relief to not have to attend court proceedings. Brian was easy to communicate with, and also gave accurate information ...
"I endorse this lawyer without hesitation. Brian is a zealous advocate for his clients and is very knowledgeable in all areas of family law. He practices with the upmost integrity and always keeps clients' best interests at the forefront."
"I endorse this lawyer. My firm has had the opportunity to work with Brian Johnston for a number of years on a number of different cases. He has always been very professional and open to resolving cases amicably if at all possible while still zealously representing his client and his/her interests. I look forward working with him for years to come."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Brian very well for many years and we have collarborated on many matters. I have always found Brian to be exceptionally bright, well-prepared, and a pleasure to work with. I would entrust a family to member to Brian for representation as I have confidence in his ability and ethical standards."
"I have worked with Brian on a number of cases. He is a strong advocate for his client and works hard to get a good result. He always conducts himself in a professional manner and is trustworthy and ethical."
"I endorse this lawyer. Brian is always a pleasure to work with and I very much respect the way he conducts business in family court matters."
"i have had the pleasure of working with Brian over many years on cases. Brian is professional and diligent in his work. He is an asset to the legal community."
"Brian is a highly skilled family law attorney. He is reasonable and easy to work with, without compromising the care and advocacy that he has for his clients. He is a great addition to our legal community."
"Brian is a professional and skilled family law attorney both inside and outside of the courtroom. He cares about his clients. He is knowledgeable about the law and uses that expertise to explore solutions for his clients without the expense of unnecessary litigation."
"Brian is thoughtful, patient, practical, compassionate and intelligent- everything you would want in a family law attorney. I recommend him highly."
"Attorney Johnston is an excellent resource regarding all areas of family law. I have entrusted him with working on matters for my own clientele and will continue to refer work to him as it arises. Highly recommended."
"Brian and I have had cases together. He is thorough and zealously advocates for his side while maintaining a professional atmosphere and respectful tone in communication. Brian is on the list of attorneys my office sends cases to if we are conflicted out of a matter. it is always an adversarial pleasure when he is on the other side of a case."
"I have known Brian for many years and worked with him as my opposing counsel in several family law matters. I find Brian to be intelligent, professional, and thorough in his representation of his clients and his interaction with opposing counsel. He cares about his clients and is respected by other attorneys and the Court."
"I have worked with Brian Johnston since he joined our community, both as opposing counsel and by serving as parenting coordinator with his clients. He has a solid understanding of family law and district court practice. He is willing to explore mutually beneficial resolutions, and is an aggressive advocate on behalf of his clients, when necessary. He cares about his clients and is an asset to our legal community."
"I have worked with Brian C. Johnston as opposing counsel as well as a member of the legal community. He is an excellent advocate for his clients, well informed on the law, zealous without running up the costs unnecessarily, and willing to consider practical solutions as well as legal ones. If you hire him, you have made a good choice that you will not regret."
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2019
Attorney of the Year Nominee, American Lawyer
1998
Cum Laude, Bucknell University
2015 - Present
Member, Chapel Hill Family Law
2006 - 2015
Associate Attorney, Lewis & Anderson PLLC
2004 - 2006
Associate Attorney, Brodsky, Greenblatt & Renehan, Chtd
2001 - 2004
Associate Attorney, Greenberg & Bederman, LLC
2005 - Present
North Carolina State BarMember
2005 - Present
North Carolina Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
North Carolina Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2005 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
North Carolina 15B Judicial District BarMember
2005 - Present
North Carolina 15B Judicial District Bar AssociationMember
2002 - 2006
District of Columbia BarMember
2001 - 2006
Maryland State Bar AssociationMember
2001 - 2004
American Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2001 - 2004
Maryland Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2001
JD - Juris Doctor
1998
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2017
Guest Family Law Lecturer
English