Meet Our Team

Lucrecia P. Johnson, Esq. LL.M.

Managing Attorney

Lucrecia P. Johnson, Esq. LL.M. is the managing attorney here at LPJ Legal. As the principal attorney at our firm, Lucrecia oversees a practice that caters to the diverse needs of businesses and individuals in highly regulated sectors. She serves as fractional general counsel to franchisees, government contractors, medical professionals, and other entities requiring specialized legal support. Clients rely on her expertise for navigating complex regulatory landscapes and ensuring compliance in their operations

Coupled with her professional career, Lucrecia is also active in her local community, including being a past chair of the Washington Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Division and a past chairperson of the board of directors at Collaborative Solutions for Communities.

Ms. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Juris Doctor from Elon University, and a Master of Laws in Trial Advocacy from American University Washington College of Law. She is admitted to practice in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Georgia and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland and for the District of Columbia.

Prior to founding LPJ Legal PLLC, Ms. Johnson worked as a corporate litigation attorney in a large law firm based in Washington, DC. She has also worked as an Attorney in Maryland, litigating a variety of matters to include business, bankruptcy, and special education.

Rashida Sims, Esq.

Attorney

Rashida Sims was motivated to become an attorney after several years of working as a child and family therapist in the Washington, DC and Northern, VA areas. Rashida’s professional and personal passion involves advancing the rights of marginalized individuals. She is a passionate advocate and community servant, striving to use the law to improve the lives of others, both inside and outside of a court room.

Rashida is a proud native of Brooklyn, NY, currently residing in the DC/MD/VA area.  Despite a non-traditional path to law school, Rashida ultimately followed in her parents’ footsteps, becoming an attorney. Rashida’s legal career started as a public defender, and moved on to civil practice, including debt, bankruptcy, and advocating for domestic abuse survivors.  She later found a home in administrative law and spent several years working at the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Board of Veterans’ Appeals and the US Social Security Administration writing appellate decisions. In addition to Veteran’s Appeals, Rashida focuses on civil litigation matters at LPJ Legal PLLC.

Ms. Sims is an accredited attorney with the US Department of Veterans Affairs. She is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and Maryland. She is also admitted to the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), the US District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia and Maryland, and the US Tax Court.  Rashida holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Hampton University and a Juris Doctorate from UALR, W. H. Bowen School of Law. In her free time, Rashida is an active member of the Junior League of Washington and the National Hampton University Alumni Association, and volunteers with local organizations providing pro bono legal services.

Ethlena Martin, Esq.

Attorney

Ethlena Martin is a dedicated litigation attorney whose practice is anchored in accessible, client-centered advocacy. Born in Sierra Leone, her early exposure to social inequities ignited a lifelong passion for justice and a drive to protect the vulnerable. Today, she approaches her legal practice with deep compassion, cultural fluency, and the steadfast belief that the justice system must be both empowering and understandable for the people it serves.

A seasoned courtroom advocate, Mrs. Martin brings formidable trial experience to her clients. She served for several years as a Florida State Prosecutor, where she honed her litigation skills, managing high-stakes and highly complex child-abuse dockets. This challenging work required not only aggressive courtroom advocacy but also the ability to navigate emotionally charged situations with grace, empathy, and tenacity. Ethlena first built her strong foundation in legal analysis and federal litigation while working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office during law school.

Mrs. Martin earned her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law after completing her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Georgia State University. Her background in the hard sciences provides her with a distinct analytical edge, enabling her to meticulously deconstruct complex evidence, distill complicated facts, and craft compelling, logical narratives for a judge or jury.

Beyond her daily practice, she is a passionate champion for public service and the underserved. She routinely provides pro bono legal representation to military personnel, their families, and local community members who might otherwise lack access to the justice system.

Having lived on four continents, she possesses a truly global perspective. This rich, diverse background allows her to connect authentically with clients from all walks of life, ensuring they feel heard, respected, and fiercely advocated for. Outside of the courtroom, Mrs. Martin enjoys traveling the world and continually challenging her creative side by learning new arts and crafts.

 

Morgan Waters

Law Clerk

Morgan Waters is a Law Clerk at LPJ Legal, where she provides essential legal support and strategic research across the firm’s practice areas. A native of the DC Metropolitan area, Morgan brings a deep personal passion to her work, ensuring that clients receive the high-quality advocacy and meticulous attention to detail they deserve.

Morgan joined the firm with a diverse background in the legal field, having previously interned with Tenable, Inc. and served as a legal associate for The Lex Fellowship. These experiences provided her with a global perspective on the law, which she now applies to serve the needs of the local community.

Morgan graduated cum laude from Towson University’s Honors College with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Anthropology. She earned her Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School, where she focused on international and comparative law. Outside of the office, Morgan finds balance through baking and spending quality time with her family, friends, and her dog.

Crystal Howell

Paralegal

Crystal supports LPJ Legal as our Paralegal where she brings over 3 years of comprehensive experience in customer service, legal assistance, paralegal leadership, and case management efficiency.

She has previously worked as a Legal Assistant for the United States Air Force before bringing her breadth of knowledge to LPJ Legal. With a background in business law, real estate law, and civil litigation, Crystal has been an asset to our team.

Crystal holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Missouri and serves as the firm’s Notary Public. Crystal continually strives to find ways to continue to expand her knowledge in the legal field.

Ms. Howell is a compassionate and empathetic team member and is always ready to assist clients and coworkers. Crystal is a key asset to LPJ Legal, embodying our commitment to excellence, integrity, and teamwork.

Ernest “Kofi” Opoku-Boakye

Legal Assistant

As the first point of contact for LPJ Legal, Ernest takes pride in delivering professional, attentive, and client-focused service from the very first interaction. With a strong background in customer service and administration, he is committed to ensuring every client feels respected, heard, and supported throughout their experience with the firm.

In his role as a Legal Assistant, Ernest carefully listens to clients and gathers essential information to help connect them with the appropriate legal support. Whether assisting with scheduling consultations or responding to general inquiries, he works to ensure each interaction is handled efficiently and with care.

Ernest holds a bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. His academic background, combined with strong organizational and communication skills, allows him to bring a detail-oriented, structured, and client-centered approach to supporting the legal team.