AUWCL Welcomes Acclaimed Litigator Stephanie L. Johnson as Associate Director of the Stephen S. Weinstein Advocacy Program
Renowned Trial Attorney Brings Extensive Experience and Passion for Advocacy to Strengthen AUWCL's Top-Ranked Advocacy Program
American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie L. Johnson as the associate director of the Stephen S. Weinstein Advocacy Program. Professor Johnson is a seasoned litigator and a prominent trial attorney in the District of Columbia and Maryland, with a strong reputation within the advocacy community.
"Stephanie's dedication to her students and their excellence will be an invaluable addition to the Washington College of Law's advocacy program," said Cynthia Goode Works, director of the Stephen S. Weinstein Advocacy Program. "Given her passion for training future lawyers, she will have an immediate impact on our advocacy program."
Before joining AUWCL, Professor Johnson served as a faculty member of the Trial Advocacy Workshop at Harvard Law School, the director of externships and public interest programming, and co-director of the Criminal Justice Clinic at Howard University School of Law. With more than 15 years of advocacy experience, Professor Johnson is eager to contribute to the dynamic and talented students of AUWCL.
As an accomplished attorney, Professor Johnson has been recognized as one of the “Top 40 Lawyers Under 40” in Washington, DC by the National Trial Lawyers. Additionally, she served as an executive member of the District of Columbia Bar's Steering Committee for the Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section.
Professor Johnson began her legal career as a criminal defense attorney at a boutique Maryland firm, working as both a trial and appellate attorney. In 2012, she co-founded her law firm, Hunter & Johnson, PLLC, where she represented indigent persons charged with crimes and individuals and businesses in complex civil litigation matters. Her passion for trial work was sparked as a student attorney in the DC Law Students in Court (now Rising for Justice) civil clinic, where she represented indigent residents of the District of Columbia facing eviction.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Professor Johnson earned her undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in African American Studies. She received her JD from Howard University School of Law.
The Stephen S. Weinstein Advocacy Program is renowned for training students in various forms of legal advocacy, including trial and appellate litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and transactional negotiations. The program's success is largely attributed to the dedication of over 100 legal professionals who teach, coach, and volunteer. Area practitioners and judges share their extensive expertise through a variety of advocacy courses, and skilled lawyers have led student teams to over 25 national championships in the past eight years. Learn more.
Story by Keith Pierce