Born in Loomis, California, Administrative Law Judge John O. Johnson attended public schools in Northern California before receiving his B.A. degree in Classical Civilizations from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2003, and his J.D. degree from Indiana University, Bloomington in 2007.  During law school, he interned at the state capitol with the California State Senator for the 11th District.  His experience outside of state service includes brief periods with private practitioners in utility law and personal injury law, and, since joining the California Bar in 2008, as a private practitioner specializing in business law.  Prior to joining the Office of Tax Appeals in November 2017, his government service included nearly ten years in the Appeals Division of the Board of the Equalization and its successor, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.  He is an Adjunct Professor of Business and Marketing at Cosumnes River College, and has been active in providing outreach and legal services to students of local community colleges and law schools.