About 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 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 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 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 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.
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