Meet Judge Darren Sebastian Johnson
The Honorable Darren Sebastian Johnson was appointed as an Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Prince George's County by then Governor Larry Hogan on January 6, 2023. He was sworn into office on January 17, 2023. Judge Johnson made history as the first Afro-Latino/African-American appointed to the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County.
Judge Johnson was born in Washington DC and raised in Prince George’s County. He attended Langley Park-McCormick Elementary, Buck Lodge Middle School, Kettering Middle School, and Largo Senior High School.
Judge Johnson is a graduate of Howard University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He received his Juris Doctor from UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. Judge Johnson credits UDC’s Law School for giving him the foundation needed to serve in the county in which he grew up in and still lives. He was taught to put service and community first.
Judge Johnson credits the compassion of his parents and his upbringing in helping him gain a broader perspective of cultures and societal challenges. His mother is from Panama City, Panama, and his father is African American from Northeast, Washington DC. He believes that it is important for people to know that there is representation on the bench. As a lifelong resident of Prince George’s County, he believes the citizens of Prince George’s County want to know that those serving them understand their community.
After graduating from law school, Judge Johnson immediately put his law degree to use choosing the path of public service. His legal career began representing litigants in various matters as a solo practitioner, practicing primarily in Prince George’s County and Baltimore City. After almost a decade as a solo practitioner, Judge Johnson transitioned to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Appeals Division as an attorney advisor covering every program administered by USDA. Judge Johnson’s commitment to the citizens of the United States and providing a fair forum for justice led to him being the first recipient of the Director’s Award for Outstanding Service.
Prior to being appointed to the Circuit Court as an Associate Judge, Judge Johnson was appointed as a domestic magistrate for Prince George’s County by the twenty-four judges of the Circuit Court of Prince George’s County. During his five years of service as a magistrate, Judge Johnson presided over a wide variety of domestic and juvenile matters including divorce, custody, and truancy.
Judge Johnson continues his commitment to serving his community both on and off the bench. He serves as vice-president on the Board of Community Legal Services, which provides access to justice through quality legal services for low-income residents of Prince George’s County. He is also an active member of the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, the Prince George’s County Bar Association, the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association, the Latin X Judicial Council and the Harry Cole Judicial Council. Judge Johnson is committed to the citizens of Maryland serving on the Maryland Judiciary’s Equal Justice Committee as a member of the Rules Subcommittee as well as the Language Access Subcommittee.
Judge Johnson is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, an organization committed to achievement, brotherhood, and service.
