Since beginning her private practice with Lang Thal King & Hanson's commercial litigation and construction law groups, Erika Johnsen has gained substantial experience in every stage of litigation:
- successfully defending contractors’ licenses before the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) and the Office of Administrative Hearings, as well as at the appellate level;
- handling breach-of-contract and payment disputes, Purchaser Dwelling Act and Prompt Pay actions, and mechanics’ lien foreclosures;
- navigating settlements conferences, arbitrations, and private mediations to optimize results for her clients; and
- drafting contracts that help provide her contractor clients with legal protection and peace of mind in their business affairs.
After earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia, Erika attended law school at the University of Arizona and graduated magna cum laude. During law school, she clerked with the non-profit Pacific Legal Foundation and the Cato Institute, advocating for economic freedom and against arbitrary government overreach.
Practice Areas
HONORS & AWARDS
The Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” (Construction Litigation, Commercial Litigation), 2024, 2025
“Top Lawyer” (Rising Star), Phoenix Magazine, 2023
Professional Memberships
State Bar of Arizona: Executive Council, Construction Law Section
Scottsdale Bar Association
Clerkships and Internships
Senior Law Clerk, Arizona Court of Appeals, 2017-2019
Summer Legal Intern, Cato Institute, Washington, D.C., 2016
Summer Law Clerk, Pacific Legal Foundation, Seattle, 2015
Bar Admissions
Arizona, 2019
Education
J.D., magna cum laude, James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona, 2017: Arizona Journal of Environmental Law and Policy; National Trial Team; Ares Fellow; Federalist Society; CALI awards in Contract Drafting and Native American Natural Resources
B.A., English Literature, University of Virginia: Delta Zeta Sorority
Birthplace
College Station, Texas