Housing and Urban Development Attorney Heather Aislynn Johns Joins Carlton Fields’ Real Estate and Commercial Finance Practice

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Heather Johns has joined Carlton Fields’ Real Estate and Commercial Finance Practice as senior counsel in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. She was most recently an attorney adviser with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Johns is a seasoned real estate and finance attorney focused on HUD-insured multifamily and health care transactions. Drawing on more than four decades of experience in title insurance — including 16 years as a senior attorney at HUD — she is known for resolving complex title, regulatory, and financing challenges in high-stakes transactions.

Johns is experienced in FHA-Insured transaction types, including sections 232, 221(d)(4), 207/223(f), 223(a)(7), and 241(a) of the National Housing Act. She also has significant experience in HUD-assisted transactions, including section 202/811 capital advances and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program transactions, including traditional conversions, post-conversion matters, and RAD for section 202 project rental assistance contracts (PRAC).

“We’re thrilled to welcome Heather to the firm,” said Frank Appicelli, co-chair of the Real Estate and Commercial Finance Practice. “Her rare mix of legal insight, agency fluency, and technical depth will strengthen our already deep transactional bench.”

“Heather’s practical understanding of title risk enables us to guide clients strategically through complex regulatory and transactional landscapes,” added practice co-chair Robert Freedman.

During her tenure at HUD, Johns served as the agency’s primary legal authority on title insurance and survey matters, collaborating closely with lender’s counsel, field offices, and program leadership to address title impediments, develop solutions for novel transactional structures, and guide deals to closing. She advised on thousands of closings nationwide, building a national reputation for navigating layered financing involving tax credits, tax increment financing, and other community development tools. She also helped shape agency policy on closing procedures, consulted on new transaction types, and led legal training initiatives across the country. Before joining HUD, Johns spent two decades in the title industry in senior roles involving underwriting, claims, litigation, and education.

“Government-insured multifamily and health care housing finance is essential to creating and sustaining housing opportunities and strong communities,” said Johns. “Carlton Fields’ client- and community-centered approach, dedication to service, and focus on getting the deal done align perfectly with my passion for impact in this vital sector. I’m excited for the journey ahead!”

Johns obtained her J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and a B.A. from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame.