Adam Johnson at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Minnesota · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Adam Johnson
Biography
Professional career
- On 2 October 2020, he was appointed a full High Court judge, assigned to the Chancery Division, filling the vacancy left by the death of Sir Henry Carr
- Formally sworn in at the Royal Courts of Justice in October 2020
- Appointed a Deputy High Court Judge in 2018 under section 9(4) of the Senior Courts Act 1981
- He became a partner in 1997 and helped establish the firm’s in-house advocacy unit in 2006
- Prior Experience: Chief Assistant County Attorney, Rice County Attorney’s Office
- Prior Experience: Supervising Attorney, Rice County Attorney’s Office
- Prior Experience: Assistant Attorney General, Arizona Office of the Attorney General – Protective Services Section
- Prior Experience: Unit Chief Counsel, Arizona Office of the Attorney General – Protective Services Section
- Prior Experience: Assistant Nobles County Attorney, Nobles County Attorney's Office
- Prior Experience: Associate Attorney, Phillips & Associates
- Prior Experience: Law Clerk, Grand Forks Regional Child Support Unit
- His role often requires equitable remedies and specialized knowledge in business and property law In addition, Johnson serves as a Judicial Commissioner of the Judicial Appointments Commission
- His career path from solicitor to High Court judge highlights his contributions to both legal practice and the judiciary, particularly in promoting solicitor representation at senior judicial levels
Education
- University of North Dakota School of Law — J.D. (2004)
- University of Minnesota — B.A. (2001)
- He attended Beaver Hill Comprehensive School and later studied at Churchill College, Cambridge, graduating with a — B.A. (1987)
Additional information
- Appointed in October 2022 and reappointed as a Senior Judicial Commissioner for a one-year term starting 1 October 2025.
- Johnson took silk as a solicitor in 2017
- Began his legal career as a solicitor, joining Herbert Smith (now Herbert Smith Freehills) as an articled clerk in 1988 and qualifying in 1990.
- Adam Martin Johnson was born on 4 October 1965 in Sheffield, England.
- Appointed/Elected: Appointed by Governor Tim Walz on Nov.
- Current term expires Jan.
- After over three decades in practice, Johnson transitioned to the judiciary.
- received the customary knighthood
- He was the first in his family to attend university
- He specialized in commercial litigation, international arbitration, and later banking and financial services disputes, with a focus on private international law.
- Prior Experience: Deputy County Administrator, Rice County
- As a High Court judge in the Chancery Division, Johnson oversees complex civil disputes, including commercial matters, intellectual property, property and land disputes, insolvency, bankruptcy, tax partnerships, and the validity of wills.
- His work in this role involves overseeing judicial appointments and promoting diversity on the bench
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
Minnesota Judicial Branch remote-hearing guidance says recording or broadcasting a remote proceeding is not authorized except as provided by court rules.
No recording or broadcasting of any remote proceeding is authorized other than as provided by court rules.Remote Hearing Information ↗
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Minnesota court guidance cites Rule 4 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice and says pictures or voice recordings are not allowed except the official court record.
According to Rule 4 of the MN Rules of General Practice for the District Courts, no pictures or voice recordingsSecurity & Weapons Screening - Going to Court ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Remote Hearing Information
Minnesota First Judicial District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court
Minnesota First Judicial District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 3, 2026.
Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗Remote Hearing Information
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Remote Hearing Information ↗Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court ↗