Peter Johnson

Peter Johnson, J.D. M.B.A., is a federal criminal trial attorney, adjunct professor, and dedicated advocate with over 25 years of experience in both public service and private practice. He is passionate about the law and committed to both defending his clients and educating the next generation of legal professionals.

​At the University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law, Peter teaches an undergraduate course in Criminal Law, helping students understand the complexities of the justice system through real-world applications. He previously taught Criminal Trial Advocacy at UCLA School of Law, mentoring law students in the fundamentals of courtroom advocacy.

Peter earned his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law, where he was a member of the National Trial Team and the Jessup International Moot Court Team. He was also inducted into the Order of Barristers for excellence in oral advocacy. After law school, he had the privilege of clerking for Chief Judge Robert M. Bell of the Maryland Court of Appeals and U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, III, experiences that provided invaluable insight into the judicial decision-making process.

In addition to his legal background, Peter holds an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain, where he also taught courses in finance, corporate strategy, and European business law.

Before opening his own law firm in Southern California, Peter served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Deputy Federal Public Defender in Los Angeles, California, representing individuals facing serious federal charges. He also worked as a litigation associate in a Washington, D.C., law firm, gaining experience in complex legal disputes.

Throughout his career, Peter has handled hundreds of federal criminal cases, including jury trials, bench trials, evidentiary hearings, and appeals. Whether in the courtroom or the classroom, he remains committed to upholding justice, mentoring students, and providing strong, ethical representation for his clients.