Wright and Johns Recognized as Up & Coming Attorneys by Minnesota Lawyer

09.14.2026

Stinson LLP Partner Amy Johns and attorney Zach Wright have been recognized by Minnesota Lawyer as 2026 "Up & Coming Attorneys." The award recognizes attorneys 40 years or younger in their first 10 years of practice for excellence in their work, leadership and community service. Johns and Wright are among 32 attorneys selected for this year's recognition.

Johns advises individuals and families on sophisticated estate and gift planning strategies designed to address their unique financial and family goals. Her practice includes estate planning, charitable giving, complex gifting and trusts, gift, estate and generation-skipping tax planning, probate and estate and trust administration, and business succession planning. Johns also dedicates time to pro bono work through the firm's Deinard Legal Clinic, where she most frequently assists clients with guardianships and estate planning.

"Amy has a remarkable ability to take complex estate planning issues and develop thoughtful solutions that are tailored to each client's circumstances," said Stinson's Tax, Trusts and Estates Practice Division Chair Laura Halferty. "She combines deep knowledge of the law with a genuine commitment to understanding what matters most to her clients and their families. Her dedication to serving the community through pro bono work makes this recognition especially well deserved."

Wright helps clients navigate complex environmental and energy issues, advising and advocating for clients in litigation, regulatory proceedings and project development. His experience spans environmental enforcement and contamination disputes, energy project development and permitting, utility ratemaking and land use and zoning matters. In addition to his legal practice, Wright maintains an active pro bono practice focused on housing and immigration matters and has been recognized as a North Star Lawyer by the Minnesota State Bar Association each year he has been with the firm.

"Zach brings a rare combination of technical knowledge, sound judgment and a forward-looking approach to complex environmental and energy matters," said Stinson's Energy, Environmental, Mining and Transportation Practice Group Chair Andy Davis. "His ability to work across litigation, regulatory proceedings and project development gives him a valuable perspective on the challenges facing clients in these industries, and he has earned the confidence of both clients and colleagues through the quality of his work."

To read more, visit Minnesota Lawyer to view Johns' awardee profile and Wright's awardee profiles.