Judge Shawn Johnson
About Shawn
Judge Shawn Johnson
Judge Shawn J. Johnson’s judicial service is built on nearly two decades of legal experience in both private practice and public service. He has served as an Arkansas trial judge since 2021, overseeing domestic relations, probate, and civil cases during his tenure.
Johnson began his legal career as a federal law clerk for U.S. District Judge Robert T. Dawson. He went on to practice at Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C., before joining the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office. Under Attorneys General Dustin McDaniel and Leslie Rutledge, he represented state agencies and served as Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Public Protection Division. In 2009, U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor recommended him to the President as a nominee for U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas.
Johnson is a graduate of Hendrix College, the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and received his juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law. He is an Eagle Scout, a Rotarian, past president of the University of Arkansas Law Alumni Society, and an active member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church in Little Rock.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2004
UNIVERSITY OF ST. ANDREWS (SCOTLAND)
M.Litt. - Medieval History, 2001
HENDRIX COLLEGE
B.A. - Politics & History, 1998
Activities & Affiliations
• Arkansas & Pulaski County Bar Associations, Member
• Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, Member
• Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar & Club Member
• Eagle Scout
Bar Admissions
• Arkansas
• U.S. District Courts - Eastern & Western Districts Arkansas
• U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court