Commissioner Johnson is a founding partner of Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP. For more than 25 years, he has represented the world’s most recognized talent and luminaries across film, television, sports, music, and politics, as well as many award-winning film and television producers, directors, writers, and content creators. Best known for his extensive film and television practice, Commissioner Johnson has a distinguished track record of structuring and closing landmark transactions across the media and entertainment landscape. He was at the forefront of negotiating deals that have paved the way for talent to maintain creative license and control over their intellectual property, enabling his clients to secure lucrative financial benefits, including novel and ancillary revenue streams through licensing, endorsement, merchandising, and publishing arrangements.
In 2008, he became the youngest person ever to join The Hollywood Reporter’s “100 Power Lawyers in the Entertainment Industry” list and has remained a fixture on it every year since. He was also named one of The Root 100 Most Influential African Americans in the United States.
Outside of his law practice, Commissioner Johnson is a leader in the civic arena, active in politics, and a committed philanthropist. He currently serves as a Board Member of the International Rescue Committee, LA 2028 Olympic Games, and NYU School of Law. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Policing Project at NYU.
He previously served as the Chief of COVID-19 Philanthropic & Private Sector Community Emergency Response for the City of LA. In that capacity, he helped design, fund-raise, and implement a $75 million program focused on providing emergency relief services and financial assistance to the City’s most vulnerable. He is also the former President of the Los Angeles Police Commission and a former member of the Board of Airport Commissioners of the City of LA. A lifelong, engaged Democrat, he served as Treasurer of the Kamala Harris Presidential Campaign and as an At-Large Member of the DNC under the Obama Administration.
In recognition of his charitable work and commitment to the community, Commissioner Johnson has received numerous awards, including the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the Lawyer of the Year Award from the Langston Bar Association, the distinguished Dream Keeper Award from the “I Have a Dream Foundation” for his work in education, and an award from the Zeta Rho Foundation for his positive contributions to society and the youth of greater Los Angeles.
Commissioner Johnson is a graduate of Rutgers University and NYU School of Law. Prior to founding Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole, he was a partner at Ziffren Brittenham LLP, where he served as Managing Partner for eight years until 2018.