Ellis M. Johnston III and Federal Criminal Defense
Experienced trial and appellate attorney with decades of federal criminal defense experience.
Federal Trial & Appellate Representation
Ellis (Trip) Johnston is a seasoned federal criminal defense attorney with decades of trial and appellate experience. His experience spans more than 30 felony jury trials, appellate arguments before the Ninth Circuit, and leadership roles in federal criminal defense training programs. Ellis Johnston is known for his strategic litigation approach, deep federal court experience, and consistent record of handling complex and high-pressure criminal defense cases.
He began his legal career as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit before joining the Federal Defenders of San Diego in 2002. Over more than a decade with the Federal Defenders, he handled a wide range of complex criminal matters and built a reputation for strong courtroom advocacy, supervisory leadership, and extensive trial experience.
Following his tenure with the Federal Defenders, Trip Johnston transitioned into private practice as a founding partner of Clarke Johnston Thorp & Rice, where he continues to represent clients in high-stakes federal criminal defense cases across the United States.
Complex Criminal Case Experience
Trip Johnston has represented clients across a wide range of criminal matters, including:
For several years, he chaired the training committee for Criminal Justice Act lawyers in the Southern District of California and regularly presented updates on Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit case law.
He has also remained active within the legal community through leadership and committee involvement across the Southern District of California and the Ninth Circuit.
Academic & Professional Background
Trip graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 2001, earned membership in the Order of the Coif, and served as an executive editor of the Georgetown Law Journal.
He also earned a master’s degree in English literature at Georgetown University after earning his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Duke University in 1994.
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