Eric Johnson is Dallas' newly elected mayor and, officially as of Monday, a partner at one of the largest law firms in the city he leads.
Locke Lord on Monday announced Johnson as a new partner at its Dallas office. The firm's deputy managing partner Whit Roberts said Johnson's background in public finance will make him "invaluable" to the firm.
In an interview with The Dallas Morning News on Monday afternoon, Roberts said Johnson will work as a bond lawyer and have his own office at its location at the Chase Tower on Ross Avenue, one mile from City Hall. Locke Lord declined to say what his salary or work hours will be.
In Locke Lord's press release, Johnson said his mayoral duties "will always come first," but that he wants to continue to practice law. He will abide by the city's ethics code, he said, and consulted the city attorney's office before taking the job.
"The mayor has said that his service to the residents of Dallas comes first, and we fully understand that," Roberts said. "I'm thrilled that he's joining the firm. ... It's a step that makes Locke Lord stronger and it'll serve our clients as a result."
In a statement to The Dallas Morning News, Johnson said he has practiced public finance law for 15 years. He previously worked at national bond counsel Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, which had clients that included the city. He said he decided to leave his practice in February amid a mayoral campaign because the firm had a "direct conflict of interest with the city."
"Today I joined one that does not," Johnson said.
Roberts said both the firm and Johnson are focused on maintaining their reputations and ethics at the city. Julie Gilbert, chief marketing officer at Locke Lord, said the firm employs a full staff to ensure no conflicts of interest and has also taken "extra steps" with Johnson on board.
Johnson started off his administration with an inaugural address that promised civility and ethics under his leadership. The newly elected mayor said he would rewrite the city's ethics rules to "permanently" end corruption and call for better accountability for the city's elected officials.
Locke Lord is one of the largest law firms in the country and includes a variety of counsel focused on public finance. The practice represents clients that include the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System, the city's Employee Retirement Fund and the North Texas Tollway Authority.
Johnson is not the first public official to have also held a position in public finance law.
State Sen. Royce West, who is running for Congress against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, continued to work in public finance litigation while he held office representing Dallas' 23rd District. Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, whose term ended in 2001, also continued to practice law in public finance and public policy during his administration.
In 2014, the Dallas City Council approved raises for the council and mayor. Johnson is the first Dallas mayor to take home an annual $80,000 salary. He will not have a share in the firm's equity, Gilbert said.
Dallas City Council member Jaime Resendez said while he didn't know the details of Johnson's role, he understands officials' need to take on extra jobs to make a living.
Council members Jennifer Staubach Gates and Lee Kleinman said Johnson was careful to have left his previous law firm because of its business with the city.
“I’m confident if there are ever any conflict issues, he would recuse himself from any of those,” Kleinman said.
