Phil Johnson

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Phil Johnson is a Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. He was appointed to this position by Governor Rick Perry on March 15, 2005. He was retained by voters in November of 2006[1] and November of 2008[2]. He occupies Place 8 and he is a Republican. His term expires on December 31, 2014.

Legal education

Justice Johnson grew up in West Texas as the son of an Air Force officer. Johnson received his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. He was a pilot in the United States Air Force from 1965-1972 and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. Trained as a pilot, Johnson served in Vietnam and flew fighter aircraft. He has been awarded with the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. After an honorable discharge from the military as a captain, Johnson attended Texas Tech Law School. He graduated with honors and served on the law review. [3]

Legal experience

From 1975 to 1998, he practiced law with Crenshaw, Dupree and Milam. Prior to that, Johnson served in the United States Air Force, Vietnam, from 1965-1972.[4] Justice Johnson was elected to the Texas Seventh District Court of Appeals in 1998 and became Chief Justice of that court in 2002. On March 15, 2005, Johnson was appointed to the Supreme Court. [3]

Awards and associations

Justice Phil Johnson is a life fellow of the American Bar Association, a member of the College of the State Bar, president of the Lubbock County Bar Association, and a life fellow of the Texas Bar Association.[5] Johnson has also volunteered for the the Trinity Christian School, Southwest Lighthouse for the Blind, Lubbock Area Foundation, Kiwanis Club, and the Board of the Golden Spread Council of the Boy Scouts of America. [6]

Political affiliation

Republican.

2008 election results

For the 2008 Supreme Court, Place 8 race, Justice Phil Johnson won reelection, defeating Democrat Linda Yanez and Libertarian Drew Shirley on November 4. Johnson received 52% of the vote to Yanez's 45% and Shirley's 3%.[7]

Campaign contributions

2006 campaign

In his 2006 campaign, Phil Johnson raised $496,868. Lawyers and Lobbyists were first in industry contributions with $289,516 given. Second, was Oil and Gas at $41,750, and third was Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate with $11,700.[8]

2008 campaign

For a summary of the campaign contributions for Judge Phil Johnson, visit this link.

Johnson dissents on FLDS case

On May 29, 2008, the Texas Supreme Court determined that it would uphold the Court of Appeals ruling that the 126 children taken by Child Protective Services should be returned to their Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "On the record before us," the court wrote, "removal of the children was not warranted." Justices Phil Johnson, Don Willett, and Harriet O'Neill dissented, holding that CPS had presented enough evidence to warrant the removal of the adolescent girls, evidence that "indicated a pattern or practice of sexual abuse of pubescent girls, and the condoning of such sexual abuse, on the Ranch," they wrote, "sufficient to satisfy a 'person of ordinary prudence and caution' that other such girls were at risk of sexual abuse as well."[9]

External links

References

  1. ↑ 2006 election results see 2006 General Election results
  2. ↑ 2008 election results see 2008 General Election results
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Johnson Biography
  4. ↑ Vote Smart
  5. ↑ Project Vote Smart
  6. ↑ Justice Johnson's Bio
  7. ↑ Supreme Court place 8 results
  8. ↑ Follow the Money: Phil Johnson
  9. ↑ The Austin Chronicle
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