Brittany Johnson
About Brittany
Brittany Johnson is a member of the firm’s franchise & distribution team. Brittany represents franchisors in general business, regulatory, and transactional matters. She assists with franchise registration and disclosure, mergers and acquisitions, and international expansion. She also advises franchisors in connection with the initial development of franchise programs, franchisor-franchisee relations, operational matters, and trademark issues.
Prior to joining Miller Nash, Brittany served as in-house counsel at Starbucks for nearly 12 years, focusing on global franchise and licensing matters. She provided full-service legal support to the Starbucks U.S. licensed store portfolio and was the primary counsel for the Starbucks Latin America & Caribbean region. She was responsible for the negotiation of domestic and international licensing and partnership agreements, management of the legal compliance process, and counseling on global supply chain management and general corporate matters. Before joining Starbucks, Brittany practiced on the franchise team of an AmLaw 100 firm.
Activities
- American Bar Association
- Senior Appointed Leader, Young Lawyers Division Liaison to Forum on Franchising, 2019-2021
- Board Member, International Franchise and Distribution Division, 2018-2019
- National Veterans Legal Services Program
- Volunteer Attorney, 2009-2012
- YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish
- Board Member, 2025-present
- Development Committee Member, 2024-present
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- Fellow, 2018
- Freedom Service Dogs of America
- Board Member, 2014-2017
- Mile High United Way
- Women United Business Alliance Member, 2013-2014
- Emerging Leaders Council Steering Committee, 2012-2013
Recognition
- American Bar Association Forum on Franchising Future Leader Award, 2021
Insights from Brittany
- “Preparing For and Dealing With Third Party Claims,” ABA 45th Annual Forum on Franchising, W24 (Nov. 2022)
- “Age of Disruption: Current Issues for Restaurant Franchises,” ABA 43rd Annual Forum on Franchising, W20 (Oct. 2020)
- “Hitting the Pavement: Legal and Practical Considerations for Expanding Food Businesses Beyond Traditional Brick-and-Mortar,” American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising, The Franchise Lawyer (Winter 2020)
- “How to Build a Personal Brand and Stay on the Company’s Good Side,” Bloomberg Law (May 2025)
- “I’m Glad I Didn’t Listen to the Warnings Before I Moved In-House,” Bloomberg Law (Feb. 2024)
- “They Aren’t Rainmakers, But In-House Counsel Need to Build Ties,” Bloomberg Law (Dec. 2023)
- “Generation Gap Widens as New Lawyers Redefine Success,” Bloomberg Law (Sep. 2023)
- “Embracing Authenticity in Law Can Be Tricky, But It Opens Doors,” Bloomberg Law (Aug. 2023)
- “Law Firms Must Normalize Working Parenthood to Retain Talent,” Bloomberg Law (Jun. 2023)
- “Being a Parent Can Also Make You a Better Lawyer – Here’s Why,” Bloomberg Law (Mar. 2023)
- “Finding Your Unique Place in the Law is a Reflective Journey,” Bloomberg Law (Feb. 2023)
- “In the Client’s Chair: What Global Companies Expect from Outside Counsel Today,” World Law Group, WLG | summit Seattle ’25, panelist (Nov. 2025)
- “International Franchise Transactions,” University of Hawaii School of Law, guest lecturer (2025)
- “Being Intelligent about Artificial Intelligence: What Franchisors Need to Know about AI,” American Bar Association, 47th Annual Forum on Franchising (Oct. 2024)
- “IHC Roundtable Series: Social Media and Personal Branding for In-House Counsel,” In-House Connect, webinar, panelist (Oct. 2023)
- “International Brand Expansion,” Ohio State University, guest lecturer (2020)
- “Digital Partnerships in International Markets: Key Issues and Trends,” American Bar Association, 42nd Annual Forum on Franchising, moderator (Oct. 2019)
