Vanessa J. Johnson

Associate
813-272-1400
vjohnson@sponslerbennett.com

Vanessa Johnson began practicing law in Little Rock, Arkansas as a deputy public defender for Pulaski County. In Little Rock she tried a variety of cases such as theft, burglary, violent crimes, drug possession and driving while intoxicated. Ms. Johnson moved to Michigan and joined the Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney’s office in Detroit where she prosecuted a variety of offenses and subsequently specialized in sex crimes against children. She was trained and certified through the State of Michigan in the forensic interviewing of children. She has taken over one hundred children to court to face their perpetrators and was successful in a majority of her jury trials. She also worked as an assistant state attorney for Hillsborough County, Florida prior to joining Sponsler, Bennett, Jacobs & Adams. Ms. Johnson now focuses her practice in the area of workers’ compensation defense.

Practice Focus:

Workers’ Compensation Defense: Ms. Johnson represents insurance carriers and employers in the area of workers’ compensation insurance defense. She also represents criminal defendants in county and circuit court on a limited basis.

Representive Engagements:

Ms. Johnson has tried over 80 felony jury trials, over 50 misdemeanor jury trials and over 250 bench trials. She has performed over 200 forensic interviews on children who were victims of sexual or physical assault or a witness to a violent crime.

Presentations and Publications:

Ms. Johnson participates in firm-related seminars which are presented for the benefit of employer representatives and adjusters. The seminars address issues in workers compensation insurance defense cases.