Judge Johnston, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the bench in 2007. Judge Johnston received her undergraduate degree from Luther College, cum laude, in 1989, and her law degree, with honors, from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1992. Judge Johnston started her legal career in private practice in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. She became the Assistant Henry County Attorney in 2001. She moved back to Cedar Rapids in 2001 and worked as an Assistant Linn County Attorney until her appointment to the bench. Judge Johnston is a member of the Linn County Bar Association. She is married and has two children and four step-children.