Her Story

Sonia Johnson is a trailblazing attorney dedicated to transforming the child welfare system. Currently serving with the New Jersey Public Defender’s Office, Sonia specializes in defending parents in child welfare and termination of parental rights proceedings. Her passion for ensuring fairness and equity in the legal system is evidenced by her vigorous advocacy against the overreliance on psychological evaluations and her calls to reform legal standards.

Sonia’s commitment to social justice extends beyond her current role. Her career began as a litigation associate at a prominent Boston firm, where she honed her trial advocacy and negotiation skills and began providing pro bono services to vulnerable clients facing eviction.

Prior to her work with families entangled in the family policing system, Sonia served as a Legal Services Officer for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. In this role she addressed multifaceted issues at the crossroads of juvenile justice, mental health, health care, prison reform, and education. This broad experience equipped her with a unique perspective on the systemic challenges facing marginalized populations.

Sonia holds a law degree from Boston University School of Law and licenses to practice in Massachusetts, D.C., Georgia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Outside the courtroom Sonia co- hosts, Torn: A Podcast About Racial Disparities in the Child Welfare System. This podcast is a powerful platform for amplifying marginalized voices, sparking critical conversations, and driving meaningful change towards a more equitable and just society for families.