Shenna N. Johnson
Biography
Shenna Johnson is a senior associate in Baker McKenzie’s Transactional Practice Group and is a member of the M&A team in Chicago.
Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Shenna was an associate at Skadden Arps for five years, where she worked on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions and corporate governance matters.
Shenna has advised public and private companies in a variety of sale and acquisition transactions, including mergers, joint ventures and stock and asset acquisitions and divestitures. She also has counseled on a broad range of other corporate and securities matters, including corporate financings and related transactions, securities law compliance, periodic reporting, annual board of directors assessments and other corporate governance concerns.
Shenna also has an active pro bono practice. She has advised, among others, individuals seeking asylum in the United States, as well as 501(c)(3) organizations in connection with various corporate governance matters and a wide range of commercial arrangements.
In recognition of her work, Shenna has been named repeatedly as one of National Black Lawyers' Top 40 Under 40. Additionally, Shenna has been recognized by her peers in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for her work in Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law.
Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Shenna was an associate at Skadden Arps for five years, where she worked on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions and corporate governance matters.
Shenna has advised public and private companies in a variety of sale and acquisition transactions, including mergers, joint ventures and stock and asset acquisitions and divestitures. She also has counseled on a broad range of other corporate and securities matters, including corporate financings and related transactions, securities law compliance, periodic reporting, annual board of directors assessments and other corporate governance concerns.
Shenna also has an active pro bono practice. She has advised, among others, individuals seeking asylum in the United States, as well as 501(c)(3) organizations in connection with various corporate governance matters and a wide range of commercial arrangements.
In recognition of her work, Shenna has been named repeatedly as one of National Black Lawyers' Top 40 Under 40. Additionally, Shenna has been recognized by her peers in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for her work in Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law.
Practice Focus
Shenna Johnson focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, corporate governance and SEC and other regulatory compliance issues, as well as a range of other general corporate and securities matters.
Representative Legal Matters
- Advised LumApps Inc., a portfolio company of Bridgepoint Group, on its strategic acquisition of Beekeeper Holding Inc., creating a combined company valued at approximately USD 1.1 billion.
- Advised Abbott Laboratories on its:
- USD 20.3 million acquisition of 4.99% stake in Senseonic Holdings, Inc.
- Option to acquire AtaCor Medical, Inc.
- Advised ICU Medical, Inc. on a joint venture with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc. with respect to ICU’s IV solutions business.
- Advised Kimberly-Clark on its strategic partnership with Suzano to create a preeminent international tissue and professional products company.
- Advised KBR, Inc. and One Equity Partners in connection with their joint venture’s (Brown & Root Industrial Services) pending acquisition of Specialty Welding and Turnarounds.
Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Shenna advised on the following matters:
- Cardinal Health, Inc. on its USD 1 billion sale of its Cordis business to an affiliate of Hellman & Friedman.
- Orica Limited on its USD 640 million acquisition of Cyanco Intermediate 4 Corp. from an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.
- R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company on its proposed but terminated USD 2.1 billion acquisition by affiliates of Atlas Holdings LLC, and subsequent USD 2.3 billion acquisition by affiliates of Chatham Asset Management, LLC.
- Ball Corporation on its USD 530 million sale of its beverage packaging business in Russia.
- Ecolab Inc. on the USD 4.4 billion merger of its upstream energy business with Apergy Corporation, creating a combined company with an enterprise value of approximately USD 7.4 billion.
- Credit Acceptance Corporation on various financing matters, including its:
- USD 400 million senior notes due 2024 and its concurrent cash tender offer on USD 300 million of outstanding senior notes due 2021.
- USD 600 million senior notes due 2028 and its concurrent cash tender offer on USD 400 million of outstanding senior notes due 2024.
- AutoNation, Inc. on its offering of USD 500 million of its senior notes due 2030.
- Kemper Corporation on its USD 90 million sale of Reserve National Insurance Company to Medical Mutual of Ohio.
Professional Honors
- Top 40 Under 40, National Black Lawyers
- 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
Admissions
- Illinois
Education
- Howard University School of Law (Juris Doctor, cum laude) (2019)
- Old Dominion University (Master of Public Administration) (2013)
- Old Dominion University (Bachelor of Science, Political Science with a Minor in Philosophy, cum laude) (2009)
Languages
- English
Previous Offices
- San Francisco
Baker & McKenzie LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership organized under the laws of the State of Illinois (USA) and is a member of Baker & McKenzie International, a Verein organized under the laws of Switzerland.