Stephen Ross Johnson provides expert analysis for USA Today on criminal law and mass incarceration
In a July 3, 2020 article, Stephen Ross Johnson was interviewed for USA Today’s Fact Check series: “Stephen Ross Johnson, of Knoxville, Tennessee, a board member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and past president of the Tennessee...
Stephen Ross Johnson co-authors NACDL report on Criminal Court Reopening considering the COVID-19 pandemic
Stephen Ross Johnson serves on the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Task Force on Criminal Court Reopening. The Task Force has issued a Statement of Principles and Report regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the reopening of criminal courts in...
Wayne Ritchie Given National ABOTA Award
RJS attorney Wayne Ritchie was recognized with the Professional Education Award at the National Board Meeting of the American Board of Trial Advocates in Charleston, South Carolina. The award is given periodically, though not annually, when a member has committed...
Stephen Ross Johnson serving on Tennessee Governor’s Criminal Justice Investment Task Force
Stephen Ross Johnson serves as a representative of the criminal defense bar on Tennessee Governor Lee’s Criminal Justice Investment Task Force, crea
$1 Million Judgment Obtained by RDJ Unanimously Affirmed
The Tennessee Court of Appeals affirmed a judgment in favor of the real estate development company Johnson & Associates, LLC, in a commercial prop
Stephen Ross Johnson Obtains Acquittal in Nationally Publicized Case
In a nationally publicized, hard-fought case, Stephen Ross Johnson obtained not guilty verdicts on all counts for a former University of Tennessee foo
Stephen Ross Johnson supervises law students who seek to clear inmates convicted based on junk science.
September 28, 2016 RJS Partner and Adjunct Professor Stephen Ross Johnson teaches the Innocence Clinic at University of Tennessee College of Law, where his students learn about reversing wrongful convictions obtained through junk science....
Firm Lawyers Named to Best Lawyers in America© 2016.
Tom Dillard and Stephen Ross Johnson have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016. Additionally Stephen Ross Johnson was named Knoxville’s 2016 Lawyer of the Year for White Collar Criminal Defense. The award has been given to a member of the...
Ritchie installed as National Director of the American Board of Trial Advocates
Wayne Ritchie was installed as a member of the national board of directors the American Board of Trial Advocates at the group's recent meeting in Naples, Florida. ABOTA is an invitation only group of trial attorneys who are devoted to the preservation of the Seventh...
Stephen Ross Johnson quoted in Newsweek on the fallibility of eyewitness testimony in criminal cases.
November 27, 2014 Stephen Ross Johnson discusses issues relying on eyewitness testimony in criminal trials. http://www.newsweek.com/2014/11/28/end-eyewitness-testimonies-285414.html
United States Supreme Court Upholds Multi-Million Dollar Verdict for Firm Client
The United States Supreme Court declined to review an appeal of a multi-million dollar verdict awarded to Robert T. Stooksbury, Jr., by an East Tennessee jury, effectively confirming the award. Wayne Ritchie and James Stovall successfully represented Mr. Stooksbury...
Ritchie, Johnson & Stovall supports Foundation for Criminal Justice
Ritchie, Johnson & Stovall is a supporter of the Foundation for Criminal Justice (FCJ). The FCJ preserves and promotes the core values of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American criminal justice system. Firm partner Stephen Ross Johnson...
Stephen Ross Johnson to speak on the topics of forensic evidence and expert witnesses at TACDL’s 41st Annual Meeting
Stephen Ross Johnson has been asked to present at the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' 41st Annual Meeting and Seminar in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 1, 2014. Mr. Johnson, a past-president of TACDL, will discuss forensic evidence and expert...
W. Thomas Dillard to present at the American Bar Association’s Southeastern White Collar Crime Institute
W. Thomas Dillard will be presenting on "Litigating Prosecutorial Conduct: The Line Between Ethics and Tactics," at the American Bar Association's Southeastern White Collar Crime Institute on September 12, 2014, in Braselton, Georgia. One of the founding members of...
Johnson to present at TACDL Capital Defense Training and Tennessee Criminal Defense College
Stephen Ross Johnson is slated to lecture at TACDL's William P. Redick, Jr. Capital Defense Seminar on the topic of Mental Health Issues in Complex Cases. Mr. Johnson is again a faculty member at the Tennessee Criminal Defense College, the preeminent trial training in...
Johnson assists in drafting NACDL’s Comments to the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s Proposed Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
Stephen Ross Johnson, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and active member of its white collar crime and federal sentencing committees, recently assisted in authoring NACDL's comments to the the U.S....
Multi-million dollar jury verdict returned in favor of Ritchie, Johnson & Stovall client in Federal Court.
An East Tennessee Jury returned a more than 30 million dollar verdict in favor of Robert T. Stooksbury, Jr., in Stooksbury v. Ross, et al., No. 3:09-cv-498, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Wayne Ritchie served as lead counsel...
Multi-million dollar jury verdict returned in favor of Ritchie, Johnson & Stovall client in Federal Court.
Sixth Circuit Upholds $30 million Verdict for RDJ Client
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld a verdict of more than $30 million in favor of Robert Stooksbury, an East Tennessee developer. The Court's initial decision denying defendants' appeal was rendered in June of 2013; defendants' request...
Ritchie Elected President of the Southeastern Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”)
Wayne Ritchie was installed as President of the Southeastern Chapters of ABOTA at the regional group's annual meeting in Point Clear, Alabama, on April 27, 2013. The group has over 800 members and is comprised of both plaintiff's and defense attorneys who specialize...
Stephen Ross Johnson presides over Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Annual Meeting
Stephen Ross Johnson served as President of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers during 2011-12. The finale of his presidency was a successful annual meeting and seminar, including nationally known speakers. During Johnson's presidency, the membership...
Firm negotiates agreement to secure reversal of wrongful conviction.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 28, 2011 Margo Freshwater, who goes by Tonya Hudkins McCartor, today entered into an agreement with the State of Tennessee saying she is not guilty, but that it was in her best interest to end her case so she could be with her family....