People
Spencer Johnson focuses on capital raising transactions and the related deployment of that capital in acquisitions, co-investments and joint ventures. As a partner in our Capital Markets and M&A practice, Spencer counsels private equity funds and their sponsors, asset managers, real estate investment trusts, and corporate clients in these transactions.
With deep experience in complex capital formation, Spencer works with clients to implement transaction structures that meet strategic business objectives. These objectives often mandate implementing capital structures that are tailored to client-specific needs while also providing flexibility for the widest array of potential investors globally. Spencer routinely works with clients on fund formation, sponsor formation, and strategic alliances/joint ventures. He also counsels clients in public capital markets transactions, including initial public offerings, "at-the-market" offerings and follow-on offerings.
After capital formation, Spencer works with his clients to put their capital to work. Spencer advises clients in mergers and acquisitions, asset transactions, co-investments and other acquisitions-focused transactions. His practice includes acquisitions transactions for public and private companies with both domestic and cross-border elements. He also works with public companies and their boards of directors/trustees on high profile matters, including activism, crisis management and response, environmental, social and government matters (ESG) and fiduciary duties. Spencer has been recognized as a Leading Practitioner in Chambers USA for REITs, IFLR1000 in the Capital Markets and M&A categories and in Legal 500 U.S. in the M&A/Corporate and Commercial—M&A Middle Market category.
Spencer also routinely advises clients on compliance and regulatory issues relating to corporate governance, Advisers Act status, Investment Company Act matters, broker-dealer matters and securities regulation.
Spencer's practice has a particular emphasis in the real estate, real asset, infrastructure and energy industries. He leads the firm's real estate investment trust industry team. The firm's REIT practice is industry-ranked by Chambers.
Spencer is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts as well as a designated firm representative for the Pension Real Estate Association.
J.D., Emory University, high honors
B.S., University of Central Florida
Georgia
Intern, Frank Mays Hull, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Board of Advisors, Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl hosting the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship
State Bar of Georgia
August 4, 2025
K&S advises Cortland Partners on its $1.6B acquisition of a 19-asset portfolio from Elme Communities
August 4, 2025
King & Spalding is Representing Cortland in its $1.6 Billion Acquisition of a 19-Asset Portfolio from Elme Communities
June 11, 2025
King & Spalding Earns Top-Tier Rankings in Legal 500 United States 2025 Guide
Represented Preferred Apartment Communities (NYSE: APTS) in its $5.8 billion sale to Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust.
Represented CatchMark Timber Trust (NYSE: CTT) in its $5 billion all-stock merger with PotlatchDeltic Corporation.
Represented Americold Realty Trust in connection with its $942 million IPO. The IPO was the largest up-sized IPO of REIT shares in history.
See more
July 23, 2025
Investing for Yield: Lessons from the Insurance Sector
June 7, 2024
Fifth Circuit Vacates Private Fund Adviser Rules
February 10, 2023
SEC Staff Addresses Net Performance Presentation Requirements for Single Investments Under Marketing Rule
August 4, 2025
K&S advises Cortland Partners on its $1.6B acquisition of a 19-asset portfolio from Elme Communities
August 4, 2025
King & Spalding is Representing Cortland in its $1.6 Billion Acquisition of a 19-Asset Portfolio from Elme Communities
June 11, 2025
King & Spalding Earns Top-Tier Rankings in Legal 500 United States 2025 Guide
Represented Preferred Apartment Communities (NYSE: APTS) in its $5.8 billion sale to Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust.
Represented CatchMark Timber Trust (NYSE: CTT) in its $5 billion all-stock merger with PotlatchDeltic Corporation.
Represented Americold Realty Trust in connection with its $942 million IPO. The IPO was the largest up-sized IPO of REIT shares in history.
See more
July 23, 2025
Investing for Yield: Lessons from the Insurance Sector
June 7, 2024
Fifth Circuit Vacates Private Fund Adviser Rules
February 10, 2023
SEC Staff Addresses Net Performance Presentation Requirements for Single Investments Under Marketing Rule
August 4, 2025
K&S advises Cortland Partners on its $1.6B acquisition of a 19-asset portfolio from Elme Communities
August 4, 2025
King & Spalding is Representing Cortland in its $1.6 Billion Acquisition of a 19-Asset Portfolio from Elme Communities
June 11, 2025
King & Spalding Earns Top-Tier Rankings in Legal 500 United States 2025 Guide
J.D., Emory University, high honors
B.S., University of Central Florida
Georgia
Intern, Frank Mays Hull, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Board of Advisors, Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl hosting the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship
State Bar of Georgia