Katelyn Knaak Johnston joined the Office of General Counsel in September of 2024. Her government practice includes labor and employment law. Prior to joining the Office of General Counsel, Ms. Johnston worked as an Assistant State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit as a Division Chief in County and Circuit Court in addition to serving on the Homicide Rotation. As an ASA she prosecuted a wide range of cases from misdemeanors to complex multi-defendant homicide cases including trying over 50 jury trials. In 2019 she became board certified in Criminal Trial Law and is recognized as an expert in that field by the Florida Bar.

Ms. Johnston is a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association and the Jacksonville Women Lawyer’s Association. She has been a board member with JWLA since 2019. Ms. Johnston is a past member of the Chester Bedell Inn of Court.

Ms. Johnston is actively involved in service to the Florida Bar serving as Chair of the Code and Rules of Evidence Committee and Vice Chair of the Criminal Procedural Rules Committee. Ms. Johnston is an adjunct professor at Jacksonville University’s College of Law teaching Trial Advocacy. She also coaches the law school’s trial team.

Ms. Johnston received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina in 2007. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree with a concentration in Advocacy from Stetson University College of Law in 2010. She obtained her master’s in public administration from Florida State University in 2024.