Nesta N. Johnson, Esq.

Advocate. Author. Educator. 

Nesta (she/her) is an attorney, teacher, and survivor whose work is dedicated to children and families.

She earned a B.A. in Philosophy at Stony Brook and a J.D. at George Washington University Law School. 

Nesta is a seasoned speaker, trainer, and facilitator who has delivered impactful training to professionals and the public nationwide.

Nesta draws on direct representation, policy advocacy, and lived experience to deliver education from foundational concepts to advanced application and hands-on practice.

Nesta’s writing has appeared in scholarly journals and the media.

She has been published in Family Court Review, the American Journal of Public Health, The Guardian, and the Los Angeles Blade and has been quoted in The Cut, The Imprint, The Advocate, Truthout, and more.

Nesta helps families find solutions that minimize the length, expense, and trauma of Family Court involvement.

Nesta supports children and families through her work as an expert, consultant, and Of Counsel attorney. She represented over 700 children in Family Court cases and appeals, earning a perfect appellate record.

Nesta believes that every family deserves justice, and that every child deserves to be safe and loved.
Lived expertise informs her work.

Nesta delivers training nationwide. She is licensed to practice law in New York and Pennsylvania.

Book Nesta

Services

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Training

Nesta delivers dynamic education in person and online:

  • Cultural Competence, Humility, & Allyship

  • Preventive & Holistic Legal Representation

  • Trauma-Informed Practice & Management

  • LGBTQ+ Family Law: Issues & Landscape

  • Family Court Litigation & Drafting Skills

  • Expert Witnesses in Family Court Matters

  • Ethical & Effective Advocacy:

    • LGBTQ+ Parents & Partners

    • Children & Adolescents

    • Family Violence Survivors

  • “Know Your Rights” Public Education

    …and more!

Find Nesta’s prior presentations below.

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Advocacy

Diana Adams Law & Mediation

Of Counsel ___________________________________________________________

Case Consultation
 Expert Testimony

ABA Commission on Youth & Family Justice
PA State Coordinator · Nat’l Assoc. of Counsel for Children Mental Health Advisory Council · Disability Rights PA
Parentage Act Observer · Uniform Law Commission

North Penn Legal Services NEPA Community Justice Alliance

PLEASE NOTE: We cannot endorse or vouch for any attorney
or guarantee the accuracy of information posted on linked sites.

Nesta is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania & New York State.

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Writing

Nesta researches, [ghost]writes, and edits:

  • Scholarly articles

  • Substacks, blogs, & e-newsletters

  • Legislative testimony & RFI responses

  • Policy briefs & executive summaries

  • Op-Ed & Dear-Rep campaign copy

  • Grant & development content

  • Public-facing content:

    • Infographics

    • Explainers

    • “Know Your Rights” materials

    …and more!

Find Nesta’s prior publications below.

Nesta N. Johnson Rose stands before a multicolored sign which reads "Reproductive Justice Futurisms, March 12-14 2025" and includes a black-and-white logo depicting a young woman of color. Nesta has shoulder-length curly black hair and tan skin. She
Nesta N. Johnson Rose is standing with six other speakers onstage. Fabric draped over a podium and a banner hanging from a rear balcony depict the Pennsylvania Bar Association's name and logo. A large screen depicts a slide show entitled "The Past, P
Nesta N. Johnson Rose and four other people sit at a table with microphones, name cards, and laptops. Everyone is smiling. Nesta's hair is short; she is wearing glasses, a white blouse, and a dark grey shawl. Photo taken at Lavender Law Conference 20
Nesta N. Johnson Rose and one other person sit at a table with microphones and name cards. Both people are laughing. Nesta's hair is up; she is wearing glasses, a salmon-pink blouse, and a grey pinstriped blazer. Photo taken at Lavender Law Conferenc

Nesta’s Prior Works

Testimonials

Text excerpt praising a person named 'She' for her work in youth and family justice, especially with LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, economic justice, and disability justice, highlighting her experience as an attorney with the Children's Law Center of New York.
Greyscale image of four diverse elementary-aged children sitting on a bench, smiling and apparently talking.
Image of text: Endorsement by Maria Roumiantseva of the National Center for a Civil Right to Counsel. "Nesta is unparalleled in building trust and relationships."
Nesta N. Johnson Rose and her co-presenter pose holding up their badge. Nesta's co-presenter is wearing a dark fuchsia head wrap/shawl and black top. Nesta is wearing a dark-colored top and has short hair. Photograph taken at the National Association
Image shows a large screen showing a presentation slide entitled "Bi+ and Trans" containing statistics and charts. Nesta N. Johnson Rose is standing to the right, speaking. She is holding a remote control and wearing glasses and a colorful cardigan.
Nesta N. Johnson Rose and her co-presenter stand on either side of a sign which reads "2024 Equal Justice Conference, Detroit Michigan" and features an image of the Detroit city line over water. Nesta is wearing a fuchsia wrap, an aqua blouse with a
Depicts four co-panelists at the Creating Change conference, wearing conference badges attired in Bi+ flag colors. Nesta N. Johnson Rose is wearing glasses, a multicolored cardigan, black blouse and lavender corduroy pants.

Contact

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as an educator, mediator,
or author?

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Can’t wait to hear from you!

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