BurnetteShutt.law

Johanna C. ValenzuelaOf Counsel

E jvalenzuela@burnetteshutt.law
P 803-904-7919
F (803) 904-7910

Practice Areas

  • Employment Law
  • Litigation
  • Qui Tam False Claims Act Whistleblower Law
  • Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Discrimination
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission/South Carolina Human Affairs Commission
  • Equal Pay
  • Wrongful Termination
  • Constitutional Rights
  • Civil Rights
  • Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Appellate
  • Administrative Law

Johanna came to Burnette Shutt & McDaniel after an impressive career in public service. She worked for six years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, rising to deputy chief for the Civil Division. That role saw her represent the federal government in high-stakes cases. She also led investigations into False Claims Act and civil rights matters, honing legal skills that serve her well in representing her private-sector clients.

As the civil rights coordinator for the civil division, she supervised cases involving the Institutionalized Persons Act, juvenile justice, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Olmstead Act, Title VI, Title VII, and the Fair Housing Act. Her leadership earned her multiple national awards and U.S. Attorney’s Office commendations.

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s office, Johanna worked as an attorney for the South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee, as a senior assistant deputy in the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and as an assistant solicitor who represented the state in hundreds of cases, including a dozen trials.

Johanna attended law school after serving in the U.S. Air Force. She earned a bachelo’s degree in international studies from the University of South Carolina and a juris doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She completed a clerkship with the U.S. District Court Judge G. Ross Anderson Jr. following law school.

She’s deeply committed to giving back to the community. She’s served the legal profession through numerous positions with the South Carolina Bar and the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association. She also has volunteered to mentor law students and has served as a mock trial coach in public schools.

Married with three children, Johanna is an avid hiker in her free time. She is working toward achieving South Carolina State Parks Ultimate Outsider status by visiting all state parks in South Carolina.

 

 

 

Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
  • South Carolina

Education

  • University of South Carolina School of Law, Juris Doctor, magna cum laude
    • Order of the Coif
    • South Carolina Law Review member
    • Order of the Wig and Robe
    • John Belton O’Neal Inn of Court, student member
    • Hugh L. Wilcox Pro Brono Volunteer of the Year award
    • CALI Awards, Constitutional Law I and II, Civil Procedure I
    • ABA Moot Court member
    • Women in Law president
    • School of Law Pro Bono Award, co-vice president
    • Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocate guardian ad litem volunteer
  • University of South Carolina, bachelors of art in International Studies

Associations

  • South Carolina Bar
    • Civil Rights Law Section
      • “The Civil Rights Act of 1964 Turns 60”, CLE co-organizer and speaker
    • Board of Governors, 2021-23
    • Diversity Committee, vice chair 2018-19, member 2019-20
    • Young Lawyers Division Voices Against Violence Committee, co-chair 2016-17
    • Bar Leadership Academy graduate
  • Inn of Court, Columbia, SC Chapter, 2024 to present
    • Meeting coordinator and executive board member, 2025 to present
  • SC Lawyer magazine editorial board, 2021-23
  • University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law Young Alumni Council member, 2020-24
  • SC Bar Judicial Qualifications Committee
    • Subcommittee chair, 2015-16 and 2021-22
  • SC Women Lawyers Association
    • Board member, 2019-20
    • Co-chair, 25th Anniversary Conference Committee, 2017-18
  • Columbia College adjunct professor, 2022 to present
  • University of South Carolina School of Law mentor program, 2014-21
  • Volunteer Mock Trial Coach
    • Fort Mill Middle School, 2012
    • Lexington Middle School, 2017-18
    • Eau Claire High School, 2020-23
  • Anderson Adult Literacy Program volunteer, 2011

Honors & Awards

  • Bronze Compleat Lawyer Award, University of South Carolina School of Law Alumni Council

Published Works

  • (Co-Author) “Judicial Profile: The Honorable G. Ross Anderson, Jr.” – The Federal Lawyer, September 2011.
  • (Co-Author) “Using the Tools the Rules Gave You: An Overview of Judicial Notice” – South Carolina Lawyer, July 2011.
Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, PA
P.O. Box 1929
Columbia, South Carolina 29202
 P 803.850.0912
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