About Us

Orrin Johnson


Orrin Johnson has been practicing criminal law in Northern Nevada for over fifteen years.

Orrin grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, where he was active in theater and debate, and worked as a taekwondo instructor. He received a BA in Political Science from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in 1998.

After graduation, Orrin served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy from 1998 – 2004. He served aboard two destroyers – as the Electrical Officer aboard USS Russell (DDG 59) and as the Navigator of USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964) – deploying three times in four years. During these deployments, Orrin was assigned to lead boarding teams to search and sometimes seize vessels violating sanctions then in place against Iraq.

After his sea tours were completed, Orrin finished his Navy time as the Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve Center, Everett, WA, where he was
responsible for hundreds of drilling reservists deploying overseas in support of the Global War on Terror.

Upon leaving the service, Orrin attended law school at the University of Washington – Seattle, receiving his JD in 2007. He then moved to his wife’s home town of Reno, Nevada, where he worked for the Washoe County Public Defender’s Office until 2012. During that time, he was assigned to be the office’s legislative liaison during the 2009 and 2011 sessions, lobbying on various issues related to indigent criminal defense.

In 2012, Orrin became a Deputy District Attorney, first in Lyon County, and then for Carson City where he worked as a prosecutor for six years. After eleven years both defending and prosecuting criminal cases in the public sector, Orrin started Orrin Johnson Law, a division of Johnson Law Practice, in 2019. In that time, Orrin has
become widely recognized as one of Northern Nevada’s top criminal defense attorneys, willing to take on the most challenging cases.

During COVID-19, he fought to keep courts open, volunteering to take one of only three cases to jury trial in Washoe County in 2020 after the pandemic hit. The skills, knowledge, and tricks-of-the-trade only former prosecutors know are
now available to help defend you from any criminal allegation.

Based on a survey of other attorneys state wide, Orrin has been recognized by Nevada Business Magazine in its “Legal Elite” edition as one of the state’s top attorneys in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

In addition to his legal practice, Orrin is a leader in our community, advocating for your rights. He has written a weekly column for both the Reno Gazette-Journal and the Nevada Independent, writing about law, politics, and public policy. He appears on – and sometimes guest-hosts – the Nevada Newsmakers television program, and has even given a TEDx talk on the importance of free speech. He also helps coach the Galena High School Mock Trial Team, training a new generation of citizens and perhaps even lawyers in trial skills and courtroom advocacy.

Why Free Speech is Society's Immune System | TEDx

Alexandra Dyer


Alexandra grew up in Reno, Nevada.  She graduated from Reno High School, where she was a competitive swimmer and diver, and wrote for the school newspaper. She then attended Boise State University, graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice and Business Administration.

Following graduation, she interned with the Reno City Attorney’s Office, where she observed and worked on both criminal and civil matters, gaining an insider’s view of the criminal prosecution process.  She also worked for Johnson Law Practice, the parent firm of Orrin Johnson Law.

Alexandra attended law school at Willamette University in Oregon, where she was the vice president of the prestigious Phi Alpha Delta professional fraternity.  As a law student, she assisted indigent clients as part of Willamette’s Clinical Law Program – Family Division, and worked in a civil law firm which handled personal injury and business matters.  She also served as a legal intern for Second Judicial District Court Judge Barry Breslow in Reno.

She earned her law degree and was admitted to the State Bar of Nevada in 2020. She returned to Reno full time, working for Johnson Law Practice/Orrin Johnson Law. In addition to working on estate planning and business matters, Alexandra has successfully represented clients in all types of criminal cases, from traffic tickets to major drug trafficking charges to homicide. 


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(775) 525-2560

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611 Sierra Rose Drive, Suite A, Reno, NV, 89511