Judge William D. Johnson: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

CA Bar #: 76909 (December 1977)

Appointed By: Gov. Arnold A. Schwarzenegger

Biography

Overview

The Hon. William D. Johnson (Ret.) was a judge for the San Joaquin County Superior Court in California[1]. Johnson was appointed to the bench by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Clark F. Sueyres[2]. He retired in 2020[1].

Educational background

Johnson earned a B.A. in history from California State University, Fullerton, in 1972. At Seattle University School of Law, he completed a J.D. in 1977. He was admitted to the State Bar of California (December 1977).

Career history

After graduating from law school, Johnson began his legal career as a deputy public defender with the San Joaquin County Public Defender's Office (1977 to 1984). Seven years later, he joined Diehl, Steinheimer, Riggio, Haydel & Mordaunt (1984 to 2000), where he practiced civil litigation. Johnson entered private practice as a sole practitioner in 2000, continuing a civil litigation practice that included parole-violation matters. Later, he was named a staff attorney for the California Parole Advocacy Program[3]. In that capacity, Johnson supervised the program's attorneys in their representation of parolees.

His memberships included the San Joaquin County Bar Association and the Association of Defense Counsel of California.

Personal life

Outside the courtroom, Johnson enjoyed traveling abroad with his wife, Cheryl Jacobsen, a retired San Joaquin County deputy district attorney.

Johnson is registered as a Democrat.

References

[1] San Joaquin County Superior Court — Erin E. Guy Castillo Appointed to San Joaquin County Superior Court Bench
[2] Metropolitan News-Enterprise
[3] Ballotpedia — William D. Johnson

Recent Cases by Hon. William D. Johnson

On October 15, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 17, 2021

On September 23, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Sep 23, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

On September 23, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Sep 23, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 11, 2025

On September 23, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Sep 23, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

San Joaquin County

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2026

On September 4, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Sep 04, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

On September 4, 2019 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Sep 04, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

On December 20, 2016 small claims case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Dec 20, 2016

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Small Claims

Practice Area

Small Claims

Matter Type

General Small Claims

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 24, 2021

On January 6, 2015 an unlimited civil professional negligence case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Jan 06, 2015

Status

Judgment on Appeal

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Unlimited Civil Professional Negligence

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Malpractice

Case Last Refreshed

May 13, 2022

On October 26, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Oct 26, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

On August 31, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Aug 31, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

On August 24, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Aug 24, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

On July 14, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Jul 14, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 05, 2021

On June 30, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Jun 30, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 02, 2021

On June 28, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Jun 28, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 15, 2021

On June 21, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Jun 21, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

On May 28, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

May 28, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 28, 2021

On May 28, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

May 28, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 27, 2021

On May 20, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

May 20, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 26, 2021

On May 12, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

May 12, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 18, 2021

On May 11, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

May 11, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 19, 2021

On May 6, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

May 06, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 19, 2021

On April 30, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Apr 30, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 26, 2020

On April 20, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Apr 20, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 15, 2022

On April 19, 2010 a domestic violence without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge William D. Johnson presiding.

Filed

Apr 19, 2010

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. William D. Johnson Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William D. Johnson

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Domestic Violence without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 31, 2021