About Amber
Amber Johnson earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School, completing her studies in 2009 after beginning the program in 2006. Her time in law school included exposure to criminal litigation and courtroom practice, and it set the stage for a career centered in Minnesota. She has remained connected to the university community through periodic speaking engagements and alumni activities.
She started practicing law in Minnesota soon after graduation and built a practice around criminal defense. Early work included court appearances at the trial level and routine advocacy before judges and prosecutors. Over time she expanded the scope of her practice to handle a wider range of criminal matters. She is admitted to practice in Minnesota and maintains an active presence in the state’s legal community.
Professional associations have been a steady part of her career. She joined the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2014 and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2016. Colleagues elected her to a board position at the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2023, a role that has involved policy discussions and program planning within the organization.
Johnson’s work centers on defending individuals charged with state criminal offenses. Her practice covers pretrial motions, plea negotiations, and trial representation. She regularly appears in Minnesota state courts and prepares evidence and legal arguments intended to protect clients’ rights at every stage of a case. She handles matters that range from misdemeanor charges to more serious felony allegations, and she represents clients through sentencing and post-conviction processes when necessary.
She leads Johnson Criminal Defense, a practice based in Minnesota. The firm serves clients across the state and emphasizes hands-on representation in court. Colleagues describe her as methodical in case preparation and attentive to court procedure, qualities that shape how cases are handled day to day.
Outside of litigation she contributes to continuing legal education programs and participates in professional panels through her association memberships. Those activities inform her courtroom approach and keep her current on shifts in criminal law and procedure. She continues to practice criminal defense at Johnson Criminal Defense, representing individuals charged in Minnesota state courts and handling related post-conviction matters.
