Betsy Johnsen, Legal

Betsy Johnsen is Certified as a Family Law Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. She has over 20 years of legal experience and has advanced training in mediation and collaborative law. Betsy earned her JD from San Francisco’s University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She interned as a clerk for a Federal Magistrate at the US District Court. Before attending law school, Betsy obtained a Masters in Human Services Management from Brandeis University, and worked in health care policy and management.

After attending law school, Betsy worked as Senior Staff Attorney with the AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP), providing legal advice to people with HIV, to make sure that they had the most practical legal solutions. Betsy also edited and co-wrote ALRP’s first attorney training manual.

Betsy has received numerous awards for helping clients in family law, landlord tenant, disability, employment, elder care and benefits law. Betsy regularly volunteers as “Attorney for the Day” through the Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF). In 2007, Betsy received BASF’s highest award, the Individual Award of Merit, for leadership and education. In 2015, the Justice and Diversity Center of BASF honored Betsy with its highest honor, the James P. Preovolos Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Services in Family Law. Betsy serves as Vice-President of the BASF’s Family Law Section.

Betsy’s other interests include training as a docent at the SF Botanical Garden, and meeting fellow Toastmasters.