Johanna Pinette

Johanna Pinette is an associate immigration attorney at Claxton Law PLLC. Admitted to the Bar of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, she brings eleven years of civil rights experience and a deep grounding in gender-based violence advocacy to the firm's immigration practice.

About Johanna Pinette

Johanna grew up in Puerto Rico, a cultural crossroads where she was exposed from an early age to people from different backgrounds and communities. That upbringing shaped her sense of empathy and advocacy. "I saw a strong sense of resilience and perseverance in the people around me," she says, "and those values stayed with me."

Her path to law began with a professor whose words stuck: that everyone should know their rights, and that knowledge shouldn't be reserved for a privileged few. That idea drew her into a career focused on helping people understand situations that often feel overwhelming or intimidating. Her interest in immigration law grew over time, as she became more aware of the challenges individuals and families face navigating the U.S. immigration system.

Outside of work, Johanna enjoys cooking and exploring foods from different cultures, traveling to new places, and spending time outdoors.

Practice Areas

Johanna's practice draws on a decade-plus of civil rights work, with particular focus on cases involving vulnerability, abuse, and humanitarian relief:

• VAWA Self-Petitions — advocating for immigrants who have survived abuse by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child.
• U & T Visas — supporting survivors of qualifying crimes and victims of human trafficking through confidential, trauma-informed representation.
• Asylum & Humanitarian Relief — building cases for individuals fleeing persecution, violence, or threats on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
• Family-Based Immigration — assisting with the forms, timelines, and interviews that reunite families across borders.

Credentials & Admissions

Johanna's credentials reflect training rooted in Puerto Rico's unique legal tradition and in U.S. federal immigration practice.

• Bar of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico — admitted 2015.
• U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico — admitted 2021.
• Introduction to U.S. Immigration Law Certificate — American University Washington College of Law, 2020.

Education

Johanna pursued her law degree with a concentration in the issues that still anchor her practice today.

• Juris Doctor, Cum Laude — InterAmerican University School of Law, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Focused her studies on gender-based violence.
• Introduction to U.S. Immigration Law Certificate — American University Washington College of Law, 2020.

Languages Spoken

Johanna consults in two languages:

• Spanish — native fluency.
• English — full fluency.

Client-Centered Approach

Johanna takes time to understand the person behind the case. "I want each client to feel heard and supported throughout the process," she says. "I explain their options in a way that's easy to understand and make sure they feel comfortable asking questions."

Her work is guided by three values: empathy, integrity, and respect. In complex or emotional cases, she starts by listening — then follows with clear, realistic guidance about options and process. She brings patience and attention to detail, so clients know they are not navigating difficult circumstances alone.

Working alongside Diane Claxton, Donald Lindover, Pablo Arredondo, and the rest of the Claxton Law team, Johanna adds a civil-rights and humanitarian lens to the firm's immigration practice.

Get in Touch with Johanna

If you are exploring a VAWA self-petition, a U or T visa, an asylum claim, or a family-based petition, Johanna and the Claxton Law team are ready to help.

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