ELIZABETHTOWN — Leslie Johnson, a lawyer here for more than half a century, was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on Monday night.
The special occasion came during the regular meeting of the Bladen County commissioners. January will mark 41 years that Johnson, head of the Johnson Law Firm, and his sons have served as the legal counsel for the county.
The man of the hour entered the chamber about five to 10 minutes before the meeting began. With son Allen now handling most all of the meetings, he’s not always in regular attendance.
Johnson did notice some family members of varying ages, then more sons and state Rep. William Brisson took a seat on the row behind him. They exchanged pleasantries, and the sage Southern lawyer had a curiosity without an answer — an absolute rarity for barristers, especially this one.
His place on the front row secured, he awaited the gaveling of the meeting.
A few minutes later, the twinkling eyes and familiar smile of a man who knew his family got one over on him was flashing out of a silver beard.
“They told me they were going to a suprise party,” Johnson said a bit sheepishly of his family.
Son Allen had routed him to the meeting, and even coaxed him to break tradition by putting on a tie. After all, went the story, commissioners were going to choose a chairman and vice chairman.
Johnson obliged and, it appeared, had no regret.
Wife Michelle, the sons Allen, Wes and Will whom he practices with, and several family members surrounded him during the presentation. They included Michelle’s daughter Kelly and her husband Garrett, and their children Rett and Lydia; and nephews Lt. Morgan Johnson and Paul Johnson.
Michelle and a few others had waited out of sight for the big moment in an adjacent room, everyone doing their best to keep the adrenaline of suspense rushing through the mind of the family patriarch.
“I’m sure all the citizens would join me in offering congratulations,” Brisson said, reading the text of the award proclaiming him the rank of ambassador extraordinary and with rightful privilege to offer the state’s signature toast:
Here’s to the land of the long leaf pine,
The summer land where the sun doth shine,
Where the weak grow strong and strong grow great,
Here’s to “down home,” the Old North State!
Brisson made the presentation on behalf of Gov. Roy Cooper.
Johnson said he had no idea the award was forthcoming. He went around and thanked all the commissioners as they broke for a reception.
“I should have known when they wanted me to wear a coat and tie,” Johnson said later. “I was very surprised. I’ve been at this game 41 years come January. I’m very appreciative.”
Johnson’s father was a long-time judge for more than 30 years in Bladen County and his mother was an English teacher for just as long.
In a Bladen Journal story in January, chief District Court Judge Scott Ussery praised the work of the Wake Forest law school graduate. Johnson did his undergrad work at the University of North Carolina.
“He’s always been well prepared,” Ussery said. “He’s just had the legal profession in his blood. He’s a good lawyer and a sharp lawyer.”
At the time, the North Carolina State Bar had just honored Johnson for a half-century of service.
“He’s always had the county’s best interests at heart,” County Manager Greg Martin said in a January interview. “He has done it aggressively, and he’s protected the county’s interests.”
At his firm, Allen handles county commissioners meetings and domestic cases; Wes handles the Bladen County Department of Social Services matters and traffic; and Will handles all the contract and corporate work. Their father lends a hand as needed, in particular with guidance on ideas.
On a night when the meeting went nearly three hours, Johnson didn’t escape early with his award. Rather, he went the full routine, staying through an hour-long closed session and emerging still with a twinkle in his eye and a beaming smile.
“Congratulations” and “well deserved” said colleagues one after the other before he departed.
It bad been, indeed, quite the surprise party.
Leslie Johnson (center, dark tie), flanked by a large number of family, is congratulated and presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by state House Rep. William Brisson on Monday night during a meeting of the Bladen County commissioners.