Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson is Senior Defense Counsel for The Gault Center, where she manages the provision of training and technical assistance to the youth defender community.

Prior to joining The Gault Center, Sarah was the Director of Specialty Practices, Director of Youth Defense, and head of the Children’s Defense Team for the Missouri State Public Defender System. Sarah began her work as a public defender in 2009 in St. Louis, representing both children and adults in the St. Louis Area. In 2017, Sarah became the Director of Youth Defense and Policy, and in 2019, the Children’s Defense Team (CDT) opened its doors. The CDT is a specialized group of attorneys, mitigation specialists and support staff that represent children in delinquency proceedings in the St. Louis and Kansas City Area. Sarah has served on several statewide workgroups across her career as a public defender, looking at ways to raise the level and practice of youth defense and advocacy in Missouri.

Sarah graduated from Saint Louis University as an undergraduate and law student. While at Saint Louis University, Sarah played for the women’s soccer team, where she was a member of the first women’s team at the university to make it to the NCAA tournament! In law school, Sarah participated on the moot court team, trial team, and criminal defense clinic, where her dreams of advocating for individuals was realized.

Sarah lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her husband, two children and silver lab. In her free time, Sarah loves to be outdoors: running, hiking, and camping with her family and friends.