Kristen Johnson

About Kristen Johnson

Senior leadership general counsel and business advisor with experience managing legal and risk teams throughout the supply chain, including transactions, litigation, compliance, employment, risk management, claims, and government investigations. I tackle problems practically but with legal bookends. I manage teams covering deep legal issues in transportation and its ancillary industries, including complex business disputes (contract, purchase and sale, tort), SaaS services, payment systems, critical negotiations, broker liability, freight claims, intellectual property, data and privacy protection, product and warranty claims, insurance coverage and risk, and compliance and regulatory matters. In 2022, I led the Eleventh Circuit appeal that set rolling national precedent for governing transportation broker liability and interpreting the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act and its preemption of state laws that interfere with the business of brokers and motor carriers. My practice originated at a major Washington DC law firm, where I represented business interests, sovereign governments, and high-stakes matters. I have practiced internationally, advising on domestic and international disputes, construction and materials claims, risk prevention, data and privacy protection, and corporate investigations. My appellate work includes submissions before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First, Fourth and Eleventh Circuits, and state courts of appeals.

Experience

1. Senior Director, Head of Legal, North America

   Flexport

   Jul 2025 — Present

Education

• American University Washington College of Law

  J.D., Law

  2004 — 2007

• American University

  MA, International Relations, Peace & Conflict Resolution

  2004 — 2007

• Doshisha University

  Sociology & Labor

  2002 — 2003

• Michigan State University

  BA, Philosophy, Anthropology, Japanese

  1998 — 2001

Skills

• Administrative Law
• Dispute Resolution
• Government
• Litigation
• Public Policy
• Negotiation
• Legal Issues
• International Law
• Arbitration
• Legal Writing
• Public International Law
• Human Rights
• Legal Advice
• Immigration Law
• Civil Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Courts
• Policy
• Trials
• Mediation
• Legal Research
• International Human Rights