Kimberly C. Priest Johnson currently serves as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern

District of Texas, Sherman Division in Plano, Texas.

Prior to joining the judiciary, Judge Johnson clerked for the Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn. After her clerkship with Chief Judge Lynn, she practiced with both international law firms and boutique law firms, including her own law firm, where she focused on complex business and commercial litigation and federal criminal defense.  Judge Johnson also represented indigent defendants as a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel for both the Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas. In addition, Judge Johnson served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Texas, where she prosecuted white collar crimes.

Judge Johnson is an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law where she has taught Trial Advocacy and PreTrial Practice and Advocacy, a class she designed and added to the law school’s curriculum. She also is an adjunct professor at Notre Dame School of Law.

Judge Johnson earned a J.D., cum laude, from Southern Methodist Law School and a M.S, cum laude, and B.B.A., cum laude, from the University of North Texas.  She has been recognized by numerous organizations including, but not limited to, National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, DCEO’s Women Leaders in the Law, Law 360’s Female Powerbrokers, and as a Texas Rising Star and Super Lawyer.  Judge Johnson currently serves as the FMJA Fifth Circuit Director, as well as co-chair for the FMJA Civics Education and Outreach Committee. In addition, Judge Johnson serves on a number of community boards, including ReClaim611, Dallas CASA Children’s Council, The Family Place, Women’s Auxiliary, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, and Dallas Summer Musicals.  She also regularly volunteers at her church, Highland Park United Methodist Church, and her children’s schools.  Judge Johnson and her husband Brett, have five children, ages 20, 16, 14, 13, and 11.