Biography
Judge Justin M. Johnson was born on August 19, 1933, in Wilkinsburg. Johnson earned his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago. From 1956 to 1959, Johnson served in the United States Air Force as an aircraft commander and later served as a major from 1963 to 1973.
After law school, he joined his family firm Johnson, Johnson & Johnson for 15 years. After working as a partner for Berkman, Ruslander, Pohl, Liber & Engel, in 1980 Johnson was appointed to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, becoming the second African American judge to be appointed.
Johnson served on the Superior Court for 27 years, while also serving as a faculty member at Duquesne University School of Law. Johnson was known for being a community leader and advocate for social justice.
He retired from the Superior Court in 2007 and passed away on October 29, 2021.