Rick Johnson, NDSU General Counsel, has announced his intention to retire May 15, 2012. On Nov. 16, he will begin phased retirement, working half time on contract and other transactional matters, and consulting to the NDSU General Counsel’s Office.

Johnson, who joined NDSU in 1989, has worked for the state of North Dakota and higher education since 1979. He previously was solicitor general in the Office of the Attorney General and General Counsel to the N.D. State Board of Higher Education. He also has been in private practice in Bismarck and Fargo. Johnson has taught business law at NDSU, and presently teaches a course on higher education law in the Higher Education Doctoral Program in NDSU’s College of Human Development and Education.

NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani commended the breadth and tenure of Johnson’s various roles in state service. “Rick’s expertise and contributions to North Dakota and NDSU are broadly respected through the state,” Bresciani said. “We are extremely fortunate that he is willing to continue those contributions while we go through what will be a very important transition. As a gesture of appreciation for his service, I’m pleased to offer Mr. Johnson retirement with the status of General Counsel Emeritus.”

Johnson earned his undergraduate degree from NDSU, his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota and Master of Laws in intellectual property law from the University of Houston.

Johnson is a Vietnam veteran and retired from the N.D. National Guard in 1999 as a lieutenant colonel. A search for Johnson’s successor will begin immediately, chaired by Prakash Mathew, vice president for student affairs.