Some episodes of The Paralegal Coach stay with you long after you press “stop recording.” This is one of them.
Tina Johnson is a career paralegal with over two decades of experience in estate planning, probate, and trust administration. She is a published author and a leader in the paralegal community through her work with the Minnesota Paralegal Association and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
After dealing with symptoms for almost a year, in the fall of 2025, Tina was diagnosed with ALS (bulbar onset), meaning the disease began with her speech. Because speaking has become increasingly difficult, Tina was unable to record this episode in the traditional way. So she did what great paralegals always do — she found another way. She wrote her responses by hand, and I read every single word aloud, exactly as she wrote them.
What you are about to hear is raw, real, and deeply moving. It is a story about purpose, legacy, resilience, and what it truly means to love the work you do. Grab a tissue. You are going to need it.
3 KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Your career can be a source of strength, even in your hardest season. Tina made the courageous decision to keep working after her diagnosis because being a paralegal isn’t just what she does — it’s who she is. Her story is a powerful reminder that our professional identity can be an anchor when everything else feels uncertain.
- The paralegal community shows up for its own. From a GoFundMe organized by her colleagues, to a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Paralegal Association, to a named award in her honor, Tina’s story is proof that the relationships we build in this profession are real, lasting, and meaningful.
- Legacy isn’t something you build at the end. It’s something you build every day. Tina spent two decades publishing, presenting, mentoring, and leading. She didn’t wait for a perfect moment to make an impact. Her story challenges every one of us to ask: What am I doing today that will matter tomorrow?
A Tribute in Photos
Tina Johnson with colleagues at Maslon, LLP in Minnesota.
The outpouring of love Tina received from her colleagues at Maslon LLP speaks volumes about the kind of professional and person that she is. In a profession that can sometimes feel transactional, Tina built something rare: genuine connections. Her team didn’t just work alongside her. They showed up for her. This moment captures exactly what happens when you spend your career leading with empathy and giving more than you take.
Tina Johnson is receiving the Minnesota Paralegal Association’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Minnesota Paralegal Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award is a high honor in the state’s legal community — and there is no one more deserving than Tina Johnson. For years, Tina has given her time, her expertise, and her heart to the MPA and to the paralegals it serves. This award is the profession’s way of saying what so many already know: Tina’s impact is immeasurable, and her legacy will endure long after the applause fades.
.
Tina Johnson with her husband, Aaron, and son, Eli.
This photo says it all. On the night the paralegal community honored Tina with a Lifetime Achievement Award, her husband, Aaron, and her son Eli were right there beside her. The way Tina speaks about her family with such tenderness and devotion makes this image feel like a portrait of everything she holds most dear.
Support Tina
If this episode moved you, please consider supporting Tina through her GoFundMe page established by her friend and colleague, Nicole. The financial and emotional burdens of living with ALS are enormous, and the paralegal community has an opportunity to give back to someone who gave so much to all of us.
Please share this page with your colleagues, your paralegal associations, and your networks. Every dollar and every share sends Tina a message that her community sees her, loves her, and is standing with her.
Meet the Guest
Tina Johnson is a PACE® Registered Paralegal with Maslon LLP in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has over 25 years of experience assisting with all aspects of estate and trust administrations, including drafting probate documents, transferring assets, preparing annual accountings, as well as preparing and filing estate tax and fiduciary income tax returns. She is Certification Ambassador Chair for the Minnesota Paralegal Association and the Director of Paralegal Certification for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). In 2020, Ms. Johnson received the MPA Barb Peppersack Lifetime Service award for her dedication, leadership, and years of experience as a paralegal.