Johnna is the Law Center’s Pro Bono Senior Counsel, where she serves as the primary NWLC lead on pro bono project development and partner experience for pro bono engagement across the spectrum of NWLC program areas and initiatives. She coordinates across all program teams to identify, discuss, and develop pro bono project opportunities with a focus on emerging and priority work for key issues central to the lives of women and girls.
Prior to joining the Law Center, Johnna served as Assistant Director of Corporate Pro Bono at Pro Bono Institute, working closely with in-house legal departments on establishing and expanding their pro bono programs. In this capacity, she facilitated pro bono partnerships and projects, reviewed and revised pro bono program policies, advised how to retain and appropriately recognize volunteers, and coordinated industry-wide days of service like PBI’s annual Financial Institution Pro Bono Day (in 2022, more than 1100 in-house volunteers from financial institutions served over 1000 clients). Previously, she was Resource Counsel at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), where she managed a weekly webinar discussion series, maintained the NACDL Resource Center, and provided technical and substantive assistance to NACDL members. Johnna began her legal career focused on reentry issues and criminal defense, particularly capital clemency.
Johnna received a certificate in Social Impact Partnership from Georgetown University. She holds a B.A. from Transylvania University and a J.D. from Indiana University, Maurer School of Law, where she served as a managing editor for the Indiana Law Journal and was awarded the Terry and Judy Albright Pro Bono and Public Interest Award.