Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Announces Appointment of Venus D. Johnson to California Commission on Access to Justice

Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the appointment of Venus D. Johnson to a three-year term on the State Bar’s California Commission on Access to Justice.

“Venus is a dedicated public servant who is committed to the fair and equal administration of justice,” said Attorney General Harris. “She will be a great asset to the Commission and to the cause of improving access to justice throughout California.”

Johnson, 33, is a Deputy District Attorney in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. She is a member of the Strike Team, which handles Oakland’s most violent and repeat offenders. In 2012, she was named by The Recorder as one of their 50 lawyers on the “Fast Track” for California. In 2010, Johnson was recognized by the National Bar Association as one of the “Nation’s Best Advocates, 40 Under 40.”

She graduated from Loyola Marymount University and received her law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.  

“It is an honor to receive this appointment from our Attorney General,” Johnson said. “I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to ensure that all Californians, irrespective of their economic status, have equal access to our civil justice system.”

The California Commission on Access to Justice was established to explore ways to improve access to civil justice for Californians living on low and moderate incomes. It is a 26-member commission comprised of lawyers and judges, as well as academic, business, labor and community leaders.

The commission was instrumental in establishing the $10 million Equal Access Fund for civil legal services to the indigent and works closely with the Judicial Council to improve access to the courts.

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