BREKKE, CLYBORNE & RIBICH, L.L.C
Shakopee, Minnesota
Founding Partner
Phone: (952) 402-9410
Fax: (952) 402-9417
Email: jclyborne@bcrlawyers.com
Johanna Clyborne is a founding partner in the firm of Brekke, Clyborne & Ribich. She focuses her practice in the areas of family law and legal issues particular to the United States Armed Forces. She is dedicated to helping her clients understand and navigate the complexities of the legal system while vigorously advocating for their rights. In addition to helping her clients, Johanna has served as an ethics investigator for the Minnesota State Lawyers Board of Professional Responsibility. Johanna has published several articles and is a frequent lecturer for various organizations, including the Family Law Institute and Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, on the topics of family law and the military and the Service Members Civil Relief Act. She is on the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Colleagues list for Military Law, has served on the Veterans and Military Affairs Council, sits on the board of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross, and participates in the Legal Assistance to Military Personnel through the Minnesota State Bar and Volunteer Lawyers Network. Johanna is recognized as a Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 by Minnesota Law and Politics as well as a 2015-2020 honoree as one of Minnesota’s Top Women Lawyers.
Johanna brings a varied and unique background to the practice of law. Johanna has served in the National Guard since 1989 helping her communities deal with terrorism, riots, floods and other natural disasters. Currently assigned as the Assistant Adjutant General, Johanna is responsible for providing guidance, leadership, support, and oversight for 13,000 Soldiers and Minnesota National Guard Army units on all matters pertaining to manning, operations, readiness, training and equipping. Johanna also currently serves as the Deputy Commanding General for the Cyber Center of Excellence, where she is responsible for advising the Commanding General on matters promoting Total Force Integration across all domains; coordinating key force management initiatives and institutional training requirements and processes; and providing perspective in the formulation, development, coordination, and assessment of doctrine, policies, concepts, programs, and plans pertaining. She has also held positions as Chief of the Joint Staff, Brigade Commander, Deputy Intelligence Officer, Engineer Planner, Assistant Plans and Operations Officer, Chief Automation Management Officer, Detachment Commander, Company Executive Officer and Engineer Platoon leader. She holds branch qualifications as an Engineer officer, Military Intelligence officer, and a Human Resources Specialist. She is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and holds the distinction of being the first female to command a Brigade, the first female to obtain the rank of Brigadier General in the Minnesota Army National Guard, and the first female to obtain the rank of Major General in the Minnesota National Guard. In February 2018 until January 2019, Johanna was appointed on short-term assignment to serve as Commissioner and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the State of Minnesota.
Being an active and contributing member in the community is important to Johanna. Johanna has been involved with the Girl Scouts of America as a Girl Scout troop leader. She is a member of Minnesota Women Lawyers, serves as a mentor for the University of Saint Thomas School of Law, and has served as a veteran’s mentor for the Carver County Court. Additionally, she has been recognized as a Minnesota North Star lawyer for providing free legal assistance to underserved populations. Johanna lives in Minnetonka with her husband Duncan and their daughter, Keira.