Susan Johnson

susanjohnson2626@gmail.com

Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer, St. Paul, MN

Susan Johnson graduated with honors from Hamline University School of Law in 2009. Previous to becoming an attorney, she was a legal investigator for more than 25 years. As an investigator Susan learned to ask the right questions, listen carefully and research the details related to a client's case. These skills are essential for a successful trial lawyer who must also be an advocate. Susan is a strong, committed, and personally involved advocate for each of her clients.

As an investigator, Susan worked on criminal cases including murder, criminal sexual conduct, child abuse, and white collar crime. She also investigated health law, complex business litigation, and personal injury matters. Having worked in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, she has a depth of understanding about medical issues that relate to criminal as well as civil cases.

With her experience as an investigator, Susan knows how and where to find information from public and private sources. She is well versed in the Minnesota Data Practices Act and has repeatedly been able to access information that can result in more favorable outcomes for clients prior to trial, during trial or in postconviction matters.

As a volunteer, Susan worked many years as a guardian ad litem in Hennepin County District Court. While in law school, she served on the board of the Minnesota Justice Foundation, an organization which develops ways to provide free legal assistance to those in need. Additionally, she volunteered as a pro bono investigator for the Neighborhood Justice Center and the Innocence Project of Minnesota.

Susan has been an adjunct professor teaching legal interviewing to undergraduates in the legal studies program at Hamline University. She continues to be licensed by the State of Minnesota as a private detective.

Areas of Practice

• Criminal Cases -State and Federal
  • Murder
  • Criminal Sexual Conduct
  • Drug Offenses
  • Weapons Charges
  • White Collar Crimes
  • Fraud
  • Property Crimes
  • Child Endangerment
  • Traffic Offenses
    
• Appellate and Post-Conviction Proceedings
  

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota
  
• U.S. District Court, Districts of Minnesota

Education

• National Criminal Defense College, Macon, Georgia 2011
• Hamline University School of Law, Saint Paul, Minnesota, cum laude, 2009
  
• Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin, cum laude

Honors and Awards

• Associate Editor, Hamline Journal of Public Policy & Law, 2008
  
• Presidential Scholar, Hamline University School of Law, 2007-2009
  

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  
• American Bar Association
• Minnesota Bar Association
  
• Ramsey County Bar Association
  
• Minnesota Association of Private Investigators
  
• American Civil Liberties Union - Minnesota Chapter