Licensed for 29 years

State NC

Acquired 1994

Status
Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Valerie A. Johnson

Workers compensation Attorney at Durham, NC

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Resume

Valerie Johnson takes on the BIG Boys!

Valerie worked my case to the end -- and we WON! If fact, she (we) won every time the case was presented. Valerie's knowledge of the law is truly unmatched and she proved that every step of the way. From the onset, Valerie listened to all I said, she then explained to me what we would encounter if we choose to move forward. We did move forward, and forward and forward, and always Valerie was there explaining step by step the processes and then presenting the options before me. Valerie overcame every hurdle, she held steadfast and never looked back and neither did I. Only with Valerie I can say, we beat the BIG Boys!!

You won't find a more diligent advocate.

About Valerie

Learn Valerie’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Workers compensation

65%

NC workers' compensation is my specialty, I am board certified in workers' comp and represent injured NC workers in Durham NC and Charlotte NC and around the state. If you were injured at work, or developed an occupational disease, call me. Our initial discussion is free and consultation. I can help.
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Litigation

30%

We go to court when we need to -- and I teach law students at UNC how to try cases in court. I have litigated employment and personal injury cases. If you need someone to prove your serious case, call me.
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Employment and labor

5%

I represent and advise NC employees on their employment rights. Employees may have employment issues that involve Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) issues, pregnancy discrimination, racial or sex discrimination, workers' comp retaliation (REDA) or sexual harassment. Some employees need help in a crisis. Call me.
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IF YOU ARE SERIOUSLY INJURED, I AM HERE TO HELP. I AM BOARD CERTIFIED AS A SPECIALIST IN NORTH CAROLINA WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW AND LITIGATE PERSONAL INJURY CASES.

“She was probably the only one in the state of North Carolina who could have resolved a very delicate situation,” quoted from Attorney Boyd Worley about a case Valerie Alston Johnson mediated.

Valerie Johnson represents North Carolina workers, teaches North Carolina law students, and works for the rights of injured workers. Valerie’s book, North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law: A Practical Guide to Success at Every Stage of a Claim, was published in June 2014.

Valerie specializes in workers’ compensation representing state employees, union members, police officers, and all types of North Carolina workers. Valerie is active in the legal community, serving on the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and as the chair of the Workers’ Compensation Committee.

Valerie Johnson teaches trial skills to third year law students at the University of North Carolina School of Law and has taught workers’ compensation law at the Wake Forest University School of Law. Valerie is listed in Best Lawyers in the areas of workers’ compensation and this year was recognized for 10 years as a Best Lawyer. She is a North Carolina Super Lawyer and has been since 2006. She was admitted to the National Academy of Social Insurance in 2011.

Valerie taught elementary school in the North Carolina Public Schools before she went to law school. She lives in Durham with her husband Sam and her children Alexandra and Sam III.

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Contact Valerie

Johnson & Groninger PLLC

(919) 525-3851 Office

(888) 412-0421 Fax

300 Blackwell St.

Suite 101

Durham, NC, 27701

jglawnc.com/valerie-a-johnson/

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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0

9 customer reviews

5 Star

100%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Posted by Cheri | June 2, 2013

Valerie Johnson takes on the BIG Boys!

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Posted by anonymous | March 4, 2016

You won't find a more diligent advocate.

Valerie has been tirelessly working on my behalf for nearly a year now, and has accomplished massive strides in a case which I would have been completely overwhelmed by without her aid. The opposition has been infuriating and persistent in equal measure, but she's waded through all of it with zeal. If you're having any trouble with workers' comp whatsoever, I cannot recommend Valerie enough.

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Posted by Rumana | February 18, 2021

Excellent lawyer

I hired Valerie and it was a great choice. She is an excellent Lawyer. She helped me win my case. It was a worker’s compensation case, and I thought it would be difficult to win. Valerie used her experience and skills to offer me the best deal and win my case proficiently. She is kind, caring, and knows how to get the job done. I highly recommend her!

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Posted by Gail | March 2, 2020

One Call from Valerie Johnson Answered a Ton of Questions

I felt so relieved after speaking with Valerie Johnson. I had lots of questions about workman's compensation and she answered them in a way that was easy for me to understand. Her experience showed in the way she inquired about my case and she suggested practical and useful ways for me to move forward with my issue. I'm so happy I was referred to AVVO and found her there. I got the information I needed within an hour and will sleep much better tonight as a result.

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Posted by anonymous | November 1, 2017

ROCK STARS!

Leto Copeley and her assistant are AWESOME! My emails are always answered very quickly and I get a direct answer to every question I have. I am treated like a human being and not just another case for this firm.

Posted by Perry | October 15, 2017

5 Star Rating

The law firm of Copeley, Johnson & Groninger is very supportive of their clients. As a client, they supported me and took a personal interest in my case in order to receive justice. I would highly recommend them. They earn a five-star rating.

Posted by anonymous | November 22, 2016

Very Knowledgeable Attorney

Mrs. Johnson is a very experienced and knowledgeable lawyer. I had a question about a work place issue and she offered me great workers comp advise. I would highly recommend to others!

Posted by Jim | March 28, 2016

Professional, Experienced and So Patient

Ms. Johnson is so knowledgeable in workers compensation and employment law. I learned so much from her and have so much respect for her patience and expertise. Every question I asked was a significant one to Valerie and her team. I cannot say enough about their professionalism.

Posted by anonymous | May 27, 2015

Super Lawyer

I'm very pleased with the representation Valerie has provided me with my workmans comp case.The firm is very knowledgeable of the workman's comp laws. Valerie has proven once again why she is a top lawyer in the US.

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Partner
Johnson & Groninger PLLC
2011 - Present

Adjunct Professor
University Of North Carolina School Of Law
2003 - Present

Adjunct Professor
Wake Forest University School Of Law
2011 - 2012

Partner
Patterson Harkavy LLP
1994 - 2011

View all work experience

Education

University of North Carolina School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1994

University of North Carolina
1987

Legal Cases

Evans v. Hendrick Automotive Group
Plaintiff won on all issues

Campbell v. Nat'l Pipe & Plastics, Inc.
Employee won on all issues

Taylor v. Town of Garner and N.C. State University
Win for the police officer in N.C. Supreme Court

Associations

Lawyers Mutual Liability
Board Member
2015 - Present

American Association for Justice
Member
2005 - Present

North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers/North Carolina Advocates for Justice
Workers' Compensation Executive Committee Member
1996 - Present

North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers
Member
N/A

North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys
Member
N/A

American Bar Association
Member
N/A

National Bar Association
Member
N/A

Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group
Member
N/A

AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee
Board of Directors
2009 - 2011

American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina
Treasurer
2002 - 2004

North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers
Board Member
2001 - 2008

American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina
Board Member
2000 - 2004

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Languages Spoken

English

Spanish

Honors and Awards

Best Lawyer, Workers' Compensation
Best Lawyers in America
2014

Best Lawyer, Workers' Compensation
Best Lawyers in America
2013

Best Law Firms
U.S. News and World Report
2013

Super Lawyer
Law & Politics Magazine
2013

Super Lawyer
Law & Politics Magazine
2012

Elected to the Academy
National Academy of Social Insurance
2011

Super Lawyer
Law & Politics Magazine
2011

Best Lawyer
Best Lawyers in America
2011

Top 50 Women Lawyers
Law & Politics Magazine
2006

View all awards

Publications

LexisNexis publication
North Carolina Workers' Compensation Law: A Practical Guide to Success at Every Stage of A Claim
2012

LexisNexis publication
The Essentials of North Carolina Workers' Compensation
2010

Speaking Engagements

Workplace torts and Workers' Comp
State Employee Benefits and Workers' Comp
2012

Implications of Developments in Workers Compensation for Social Security Disability Insurance
Pathways from Workers's Compensation to Social Security Disability Insurance
2009

Attorney endorsements

Received (3)

Given (5)

Endorse Valerie

Gilda Hernandez

Workers compensation Attorney | Jun 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Valerie Johnson for quite some time, and I have found her to be highly professional and an expert in the area of worker's compensation. Given her expertise, I have referred potential clients and will continue to do so in the future. As such, I fully endorse this attorney."

Celeste Harris

Workers compensation Attorney | Jun 10
Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. Valerie is a super lawyer and person. She has a pleasant and witty personality which is great to have in a lawyer. Not only does she take on the Big Boys - she wins!"

Bobby Bollinger

Workers compensation Attorney | Mar 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Valerie is a very smart and hard working lawyer. She cares about her clients, and is an all-around wonderful person anyway. I have referred clients to her when they lived in the Chapel Hill area and will continue to do so."

Gilda Hernandez

Employment and labor