Donna L. Johnston

Donna L. Johnston

3.3
Rating: 3.3

Licensed for 42 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Kent, WA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, General Practice, Family ... +2 more

1303 Central Avenue South, Suite 201, Kent, WA

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2021
See Details

About Donna

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 31 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1994

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2021

Licensed in New Jersey for 41 years

State: New Jersey

Acquired: 1984

License Administratively Revoked

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 42 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 1983

Administrative Suspension

Location

Brumley & Hull, PLLC

1303 Central Avenue South, Suite 201, Kent, WA, 98032

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Donna L. Johnston's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.3 /5.0

7 Client Reviews

5 star (4)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (3)

Posted by Cory | September 24, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Professional kind and amazing lawyer!

Donna is amazing! She helped me greatly in fighting multiple cases filed against me, and the result is exactly what she expected. Thankful for her straightforward way of speaking, balanced with a kind and warm demeanor as well. Will definitely be asking for her help more in the future!

Posted by Alicia | June 29, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Trusted Advisor

I hired Donna a couple of times when my family needed legal help. I learned that she is warmly received in court rooms all over the state by court staff who know her. She's plain speaking and will treat you well. Her knowledge is both broad and deep. Don't let the 2021 disciplinary action deter y...ou. As a woman business owner I know Donna has seen it all and in some ways paid a price. This means to you that she knows her stuff. I highly recommend Donna especially for criminal defense and family law matters.

Posted by Lou | June 29, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Be your own representative you come out better

Recently I had this lawyer to represent me in court That was a big mistake on my part I would’ve been better off representing myself. She never returned my emails nor return my calls she only contact me the day before the trial and that was her preparation for me. Has she read my statement and also t...he witness statements she wouldn’t know that the witness was a lie. Because she is a public defender she was only entitled to $300 per case and that was all she cared about when or lose. This Was a very simple case all she had to do was let the policeman’s and the detective read their report And I wouldn’t have been found guilty of a very simple crime that cost me a lot at the end . Right after the trail I went home and I looked up her name and found out that she was recently suspended 2021 and reprimanded two other time. If you get her for an attorney, fired her quickly and do it yourself you would be better off. I gave her a zero for rating

Posted by NICHOLE | April 5, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

SHE HAS DONE AMAZING FOR US

DONNA HAS BEEN THERE FOR MYSELF AND MY FIANCE WHEN WE NEEDED HER THE MOST. SHE IS CONTINUING TO FIGHT IN COURT FOR US DUE TO MY FIANCE'S SONS MOM CONTINUOUSLY IS TAKING US TO COURT AND COSTING US MONEY IN ATTORNEY FEES AND LOSS OF WAGES. SHE MEETS WITH US ON WEEKENDS TO WRITE DECLARATIONS AND GOES AB...OVE AND BEYOND. I WOULD RECOMMEND HER TO ANYONE:)

Posted by anonymous | July 31, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Client

Donna is unorganized,unprepared and unprofessional. She does not write anything down and then when she goes to court cannot remember anything including important details of the case. You would be better if with no representation than paying her or her associate Josh Brumley.

See All Client Reviews

Donna L. Johnston's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Donna
Natasha Shanay Johnson headshot
Natasha Johnson

Family lawyer | Apr 30

Relationship: Co-worker

"Donna has been invaluable in helping me better understand the nuances of the law, both criminal and family, and I am extremely grateful to be on the same team as her!"

Emily Dawn Schwab headshot
Emily Schwab

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Donna is very knowledgeable and goes the extra mile for her clients. She is kind and supportive of her clients and colleagues. I endorse this lawyer."

Devin Reilly Hennessey headshot
Devin Hennessey

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Donna Johnston offers high quality representation to people in all manner of circumstances. Her dedication to excellence is best reflected in the outcomes she achieves for her clients charged with felonies and misdemeanors."

Josh Brumley headshot
Josh Brumley

Criminal defense lawyer | May 24

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Donna has been a wonderful mentor to me since the beginning of my criminal law practice. She is very knowledgeable and her years as a prosecutor doing drug crimes in New Jersey really help her bring a special point of view to criminal defense work. She is an amazing person and I don't know what I would do without her! If you are looking for a great Criminal Defense attorney in Seattle, look no further! Donna is the solution!"

View All Endorsements
Emily Dawn Schwab headshot
Emily Schwab

Unknown lawyer

Amanda N. Gamble headshot
Amanda Gamble

Unknown lawyer

Matthew J. Dick headshot
Matthew Dick

Unknown lawyer

Stephen Lizaola headshot
Stephen Lizaola

Unknown lawyer

Devin Reilly Hennessey headshot
Devin Hennessey

Unknown lawyer

Josh Brumley headshot
Josh Brumley

Unknown lawyer

Michelle Hull headshot
Michelle Hull

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  3.3 (Caution)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2021.

Suspension issued in WA, 2021

updated on 12/01/2021

This means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Reprimand issued in WA, 2006

updated on 06/05/2010

This means the attorney did something wrong, but the Bar did not suspend the lawyer. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Reprimand issued in WA, 2003

updated on 06/05/2010

This means the attorney did something wrong, but the Bar did not suspend the lawyer. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Honors

2017

Mentor of the Year, Brumley & Hull, PLLC

Work Experience

2018 - Present

Senior Criminal Defense Attorney, Brumley & Hull, PLLC

1991 - Present

Owner, Law Office of Donna L. Johnston

Associations

2012 - Present

Washington Defender Association

Member

1984 - Present

Federal Bar Association

Member

2002 - 2003

King County Bar Association

Member

Education

1983

Rutgers University, Camden

JD - Juris Doctor

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2021
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution