Tonya L. Johannsen is an attorney and Shareholder with Holmes Firm PC, Dallas, Texas. Supported by over 30 years of experience, she specializes in commercial litigation for the construction, real estate, and banking industries. 

A tenacious attorney, Ms. Johannsen has demonstrated success and advancement throughout her career. As a dynamic, results-driven leader, she has proven herself as an accomplished professional and expert in the field. Ms. Johannsen is an expert litigator in architecture, appellate, business torts, construction, compliance, complex commercial litigation, financial institutions litigation, foreclosures, insurance coverage, outside general counsel services, real estate litigation, and strategic business initiatives-related matters. 

In preparation for her career, Ms. Johannsen earned her Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Eastern New Mexico University in 1976. Subsequently, in 1983, she obtained her Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law. Before joining The Holmes Firm, P.C., Ms. Johannsen worked with other prestigious organizations. She worked at Winstead P.C. (shareholder and associate, 1983 – 1998), Akin, Grump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld (partner, 1998 – 2008), The Beck Group (general counsel, 2008 – 2019), Estes, Thorne & Carr (2019 – 2021), and Canterbury P.C. (2025-2026). 

She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, a fellow with the Texas Bar Foundation, a fellow of the Constitution Lawyers Society of America, and a member of the American Bar Association.

As one of the most sought-out speakers in her field, Ms. Johannsen has provided insights and knowledge to colleagues and professionals nationwide. As a testament to her career, she has received numerous awards and accolades. Notably, she has been featured in numerous publications for her outstanding leadership and commitment to her clients. 

AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale Hubbel for 25 years, she was selected as the Top Attorney of 2021 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). Selected to be featured by TIP (Top Industry Professional) Magazine, Ms. Johannsen has received recognition as one of the 100 Best Litigators to Watch, one of the Best Lawyers for Construction and Commercial Litigation by D Magazine (2020), Best Lawyers in America, and as one of Dallas Business Lawyers 100 Best Litigators in Dallas (2020-2021), and received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Texas Tech School of Law and Dallas, and received the Top 50 General Counsel Award. 

Ms. Johannsen volunteers her time and legal expertise to counsel and advocate for victims of sexual abuse and violent crime. The former president for the non-profits Bryan’s House and Victims Outreach, she has spent more than 25 years as a member of Attorneys Serving the Community. Ms. Johannsen attributes her success to perseverance, negotiation skills, and her thoughtful and proactive approach. Avocationally, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Representative Experience

• Developed liability and legal strategies for several developers and architectural clients.

• Negotiated favorable client outcomes on a variety of complex transactions and litigation matters.

• Robust track record of results in high stakes commercial and construction litigation.

• As General Counsel, mitigated risks and unforeseen obstacles by conducting due diligence, instituting, and modernizing compliance polices. Also developed litigation strategy, standardized contract templates, and implemented training procedures that included state-specific indemnification provisions and in-person contract review and training in the field.

Speaking Engagements

• Pressure Tested Podcast “Should retainage be negotiable? And how can we incentivize craftsmen to encourage Gen Z to join the trades?” (September 2024)

• Risk On/Risk Off Podcast “Conversation with Tonya Johannsen” (December 2023)

• 2021 CLO Forum “Getting to No – How to Provide Costly, Independent, and Effective Legal Advice to Senior Management/Board of Directors… Even When They Absolutely Don’t Want to Hear It” (August 25, 2021)

• Close Up Radio Interview with Tonya Johannsen 

• Austin College Law Symposium, “Legal Ethics and Client Advocacy in Civil Litigation: The Lawyer’s Perspective” (February 28, 2020)

• “Certificates of Merit in Texas: An Analysis of the Legislative Changes and Potential Litigation Impacts” Texas Construction Law Foundation and Construction Law Section (November 26, 2019)

• American Bar Association Construction Law Forum: “Corporate Counsel and Outside Counsel: The Good, the Bad, And the Ugly” (Washington, DC, April 2017)

• Texas Construction Law Seminar: “Corporate Counsel Panel: Most Important Issues Facing In-house Counsel” (San Antonio, March 2017)

• Women in the Law: “Leading, Empowering and Succeeding” (March 2014)

• American Bar Association Construction Law Forum: “Building Information Modeling: New Horizons” (January 2014)

Publications

• Author, “Owners, Architects & Contractors: Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?”, Dallas Bar Association’s Publication, Headnotes

Personal and Professional Highlights 

Bar Admissions

State Bar of Texas

Education

Eastern New Mexico University (B.A. English, Spanish), Cum Laude
Texas Tech School of Law (J.D.)

Community Involvement

Attorneys’ Serving the Community
President, Victims’ Outreach Board of Directors
President, Bryan’s House Board of Directors
Honoree, 2012 Hats Off to Mothers - Easter Seals of North Texas

Memberships/Affiliations

State Bar of Texas
Fellow with the Texas Bar Foundation
Fellow of the Constitution Lawyers Society of America
American Bar Association
Dallas Bar Association

Honors and Recognition

• AV Preeminent Rated Attorney – 25 years

• Southern Methodist University School of Law Adjunct Professor – Trial Advocacy

• D Magazine’s Best Lawyers 2023  

• Best Lawyers in America 2021

• D Magazine’s Best Lawyers 2020 and 2021 for Construction and Commercial Litigation

• Top Legal Leader in Corporate Counsel and National Law Journal

• Pinnacle Attorney Honoree in Who’s Who 2021

• Top Attorney of the Year for 2021 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) 

• Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America

• Outstanding Alumni Award Texas Tech School of Law 2019

• Dallas Bar Association “Inspiring Woman” Award

• Dallas Business Lawyers 100 Best Litigators in Dallas

• SMU Corporate Counsel Externship Program 2013 – 2019

• Texas Tech School of Law Externship Program 2016 – 2018

• SMU Corporate Counsel Symposium Board of Directors 2016 – 2018

• National Diversity Counsel 2017 Honoree

• Top 50 General Counsels - 2017