Judge Johnson was appointed as a United States Magistrate Judge in 2016 and served through 2024. Prior to joining the judiciary, Judge Johnson clerked for the Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn. After her clerkship, she practiced with both international law firms and boutique law firms, including her own law firm, where she focused on complex business and commercial litigation and investigations and federal criminal investigations and defense. Judge Johnson also represented indigent defendants as a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel for both the Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas. In addition, Judge Johnson served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Texas, where she prosecuted white collar crimes. She also regularly appeared on ABC, CNN, and Fox, as well as local news networks, to provide legal commentary on various legal issues and cases. Judge Johnson is an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law where she has taught Trial Advocacy and Pre-trial Practice and Advocacy, a class she designed and added to the law school’s curriculum in 2010. She also teaches an intensive trial program at Notre Dame School of Law and is a frequent speaker for various organizations throughout the country.