Derek Johnson grew up in a small community in the midwest. After multiple family trips to the Pacific Northwest, Derek decided that Washington was the place he eventually wanted to make his home. After attending University of North Dakota on a Presidential Scholarship, Derek applied to and was accepted at Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington. 

While attending law school, Derek developed an interest in tax law and estate planning. He spent two semesters in the tax law clinic as well as participated in creating wills and estate plans for veterans.

Derek was also involved in the Society for Law in Business for all three of his years in law school. He became president of the club during his last year. During his tenure in the Society of Law and Business, Derek was involved in organizing three different business law CLE's, spotlighting the Dodd-Frank Act, the Jobs Act, and Securities Regulations.