Knut Johnson

  • Of Counsel
  • New Mexico

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Defense

Education

  • J.D., cum laude University of San Diego School of Law, 1986

    B.S., with honors in Earth Science, Tulane University, 1980

Admissions

  • International Criminal Court, The Hague, Netherlands, List of Counsel

    California State Bar, 1986, Certified Specialist in Criminal Law

    New Mexico Supreme Court

    Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

    Second Circuit Court of Appeals,

    U.S. District Court, S.D. California

    U.S. District Court, Arizona

    U.S. District Court, Nevada

    U.S. District Court, Colorado

    U.S. District Court, C.D. California

    U.S. District Court, N.D. California

    U.S. District Court, W.D. Tennessee

    U.S. District Court, E.D. California

    U.S. District Court, W.D. New York

Affiliations

Languages

Knut S. Johnson has a diverse litigation practice in which he appears on behalf of clients in federal and state courts across the country, at both the trial and appellate courts as well as in habeas corpus proceedings. Including his many trials and appeals, he has also represented clients before the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol and the Mueller Special Counsel’s Office investigation.

Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Johnson studied petroleum engineering and geology in undergraduate and graduate school and was then a petroleum geologist for a major oil company. As a petroleum geologist, he mapped oil reserves, worked on production estimates, and worked on rigs during the final stages of drilling.  He also received a significant amount of professional training in areas like well completion, exploration, and related topics.

As a lawyer, he has litigated cases alleging violations of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other environmental laws and his New Mexico work emphasizes environmental litigation. Numerous organizations have honored for trial skills and ability to put together complex cases.

A proud graduate of Monte Vista Elementary, Jefferson Jr. High, and Highland High School in Albuquerque, Mr. Johnson has been licensed to practice in New Mexico since 1991.

Awards & Honors:

American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, Unanimous “Well Qualified” rating (the highest ABA rating) after nomination to U.S. District Court, 2020

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, 2020

Top 50 Attorneys, San Diego Super Lawyers, 2020

Top 50 Attorneys, San Diego Super Lawyers, 2019

University of San Diego, School of Law, Distinguished Alumni Award, 2018

America’s Top 100 Attorneys Lifetime Achievement Selection, 2018

Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017

Lawyer of the Year, White Collar Criminal Defense, San Diego, Best Lawyers in America, 2016

E. Stanley Conant Award, Defenders Organizations of San Diego, 2013

Marquis Who’s Who in the World, 2012 – present

Fellow, American Bar Foundation, 2012 – present

Top 10 Attorneys, San Diego Super Lawyers, 2011

Top 10 Attorneys, San Diego Super Lawyers, 2010

San Diego’s Top 25 Lawyers, San Diego Metro, 2010

Top 50 Attorneys, San Diego Super Lawyers, 2009 – 2012; 2017 – 2019

San Diego County Top Attorneys, 2009

Southern California Super Lawyers, 2007 – present

E. Stanley Conant Award, Defenders Organizations of San Diego, 2005

The Best Lawyers in America, 2005 – present

State Bar of California, California Board of Specialization, Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, 2002

Certificate of Commendation, United States Marine Corps, 2001 [for Pro Bono work]

Martindale Hubble AV rating, 2000 – present

Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, 2002 – present