William Paul Johnson (born February 16, 1959) is the chief United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico.

William Paul Johnson
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
Assumed office
February 7, 2018
Preceded byChristina Armijo
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
Assumed office
December 21, 2001
Appointed byGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byJohn Edwards Conway
Personal details
Born
William Paul Johnson

(1959-02-16) February 16, 1959 (age 65)
Roanoke, Virginia
EducationVirginia Military Institute (BA)
Washington and Lee University (JD)

Early life and education

edit

Johnson was born in Roanoke, Virginia. He was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.[citation needed] He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in the economics from Virginia Military Institute in 1981 and a Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee University in 1985. He went to Fort Sill to become an artillery officer and served in the United States Army Reserve from 1981 to 1990. He achieved the rank of captain. He was in private practice in Houston, Texas, from 1985 to 1986. He was in private practice in Roswell, New Mexico. from 1986 to 1995. He was a judge on the state Fifth Judicial District Court from 1995 to 2001.

Federal judicial service

edit

Johnson was nominated by President George W. Bush on September 4, 2001, to a seat vacated by John Edwards Conway. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 13, 2001, and received his commission on December 21, 2001. He became chief judge on February 7, 2018, after Christina Armijo assumed senior status.

Sources

edit
Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
2001–present
Incumbent
Preceded by Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
2018–present