Stephen M. Johnston, Esq. is a seasoned Colorado trial lawyer devoted to protecting the rights and futures of injured individuals and working families. Based in Pueblo and serving clients statewide, Steve leads Johnston Law Firm, LLC with more than two decades of courtroom and administrative‑agency experience in workers’ compensation, personal injury, automobile accidents, estate planning, criminal law, and Social Security disability. His ranch‑country work ethic, sharpened at the University of Wyoming and honed in Colorado’s courts, drives a results‑oriented, client‑first practice focused on restoring health, income, and peace of mind.

Admitted to Practice In

• Colorado
• Wyoming
• U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
• U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

A Proven Advocate for Injured Workers, Accident Victims & Colorado Families

Since 2002, Steve has litigated hundreds of cases before the Colorado Office of Administrative Courts, Industrial Claim Appeals Office, state district courts, and appellate courts, recovering medical benefits, wage‑loss compensation, and civil damages for his clients. His practice now spans:

• Workers’ Compensation – from initial claim filing to appeals before the Colorado Court of Appeals.
• Personal Injury & Auto Accidents – securing full and fair compensation after negligent acts on Colorado’s roads and properties.
• Social Security Disability – guiding claimants through SSA hearings and federal appeals.
• Criminal Defense – protecting the rights of Pueblo‑area defendants facing misdemeanor and felony charges.
• Estate Planning – crafting wills, trusts, and succession plans that safeguard hard‑earned assets.

Key Practice Areas

Workers’ Compensation

From on‑the‑job back injuries to occupational exposure claims, Steve navigates Colorado’s complex workers’‑comp system, fights carrier denials, and pursues benefits through every appellate level when necessary.

Personal Injury

Whether the harm arises from a fall, defective product, or negligent act, Johnston Law Firm prepares every case for trial, leveraging expert testimony and detailed damages analyses to maximize recovery.

Automobile Accidents

The firm handles car, truck, and motorcycle crashes across Colorado, coordinating medical care, negotiating with insurers, and litigating when fair offers are withheld.

Estate Planning

Steve designs practical wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate‑avoidance strategies that reflect each client’s goals, tax concerns, and family dynamics.

Criminal Law

Serving Pueblo and nearby counties, Steve defends clients against DUI, drug, assault, and white‑collar charges—scrutinizing police conduct, challenging evidence, and pursuing dismissals or reduced penalties.

Social Security Disability

From initial SSDI/SSI applications to ALJ hearings and federal appeals, Johnston Law Firm builds persuasive medical‑vocational records to secure the benefits clients deserve.

Leading a Client‑Centered Firm

Johnston Law Firm pairs big‑firm litigation skill with small‑firm accessibility. Clients receive direct attorney contact, plain‑language updates, and strategic plans tailored to their financial, medical, and personal priorities.

Why Clients Choose Stephen M. Johnston

• Extensive Trial & Appellate Record – Advocacy before Colorado’s highest courts and the Tenth Circuit sets Steve apart.
• Multi‑Disciplinary Insight – Cross‑training in comp, tort, disability, and criminal law produces comprehensive solutions.
• Transparent Communication – Clear case roadmaps and realistic expectations from day one.
• Community Commitment – Leadership in youth soccer and local nonprofits reflects a deep investment in Pueblo families.

Education

• Juris Doctor (JD) – University of Wyoming College of Law, 2002
• Bachelor of Arts – Political Science, University of Wyoming, 1999
• Bachelor of Science – History, University of Wyoming, 1999
• Bachelor of Science – Administration of Justice, University of Wyoming, 1999

Community Involvement

Steve serves as President of the Pueblo Rangers Soccer Club, expanding access to competitive and adaptive soccer programs for children of all abilities and means. He also volunteers with regional legal‑aid clinics and mentors young lawyers entering public‑interest practice.

Personal Note

Away from the office, Steve enjoys camping and fishing in the Rockies with his wife, Julie, and their six children, and coaching youth soccer—experiences that reinforce the persistence and teamwork he brings to every legal matter.

Contact Johnston Law Firm, LLC

If you need strategic counsel for a work injury, accident claim, criminal charge, estate plan, or disability appeal, call (719) 309‑9484. Johnston Law Firm offers free consultations and the steadfast advocacy you deserve.