Chris Johnsen: When You Actually Need a Lawyer in Your Real Estate Business

In this episode, I sit down with business attorney Chris Johnsen, who brings a refreshingly honest take on when investors really need legal help—and when they don’t. With a background in real estate, litigation, and corporate counsel, Chris knows firsthand how legal blind spots can cost you big. But he also gets the hustle. He’s not here to sell legal services you don’t need—he’s here to help you think like a business owner.

We dive into when to engage a lawyer (hint: not always day one), what contracts investors mess up the most, and the risks of using boilerplate docs or DIY operating agreements. Chris also tackles hot topics like non-competes, asset protection, and the legal lines you might be crossing without even realizing it—especially in syndications.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] – Chris shares his journey from real estate to law and why he’s a businessperson first

[5:03] – How the 2008 crash redirected his path and made him a litigation expert

[6:56] – The unexpected upside of being both a transactional and litigation attorney

[9:25] – Why the “school vs. entrepreneurship” debate is missing the real question

[12:40] – What makes a law degree valuable—and how to think about ROI in education

[13:46] – Why cash is underrated, and how it gives you leverage in business and investing

[15:11] – Real estate can create freedom—but it takes a lot more than just doors

[17:16] – Most common legal issues investors bring to Chris’s firm

[19:05] – Corporate structure and asset protection: the basics you must get right

[21:06] – What’s happening with non-compete laws and why it matters to business owners

[22:30] – DIY contracts, LegalZoom templates, and when it becomes a $20K problem

[23:21] – Operating agreements: why they’re not just “boilerplate” documents

[24:10] – Syndications and securities law: the big legal risk investors overlook

[27:11] – The million-dollar mark: when you should really start investing in legal infrastructure

[31:13] – How to connect with Chris and book a free 15-minute consult

5 Key Takeaways

1. You don’t need a lawyer for everything—but you better get the operating agreement right. It’s not just paperwork. It’s the contract that holds your business together.
2. DIY legal is fine—until it’s not. Contracts, partner agreements, and syndications are where most investors go wrong.
3. Forming an entity is simple. Scaling with structure isn’t. Corporate governance matters more as you grow.
4. Syndications trigger securities laws. If you’re raising capital, you need a securities attorney—not just a real estate one.
5. Once your business hits seven figures, legal issues multiply. That’s when it’s time to audit what you’ve built—and protect what you’ve earned.

Links & Resources

• Book a free consult with Chris: https://www.johnsenlaw.com
• Learn more about Profit First for real estate investors: https://www.simplecfo.com

If this episode gave you clarity on how and when to protect your real estate business, make sure to rate, follow, and review the podcast. And share this with an investor who might be one contract away from a $20K mistake.