Nelson Johnson

Nelson C. Johnson is an American author and historian, and former New Jersey Superior Court Judge and practicing attorney best known for his 2002 New York Times bestseller, Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City.

Early life

Nelson C. Johnson is a life-long resident of Hammonton, New Jersey where his family has resided since 1850. Johnson was born in 1948 and was raised in Hammonton, Atlantic County, New Jersey. He attended Saint John’s University in New York City and earned his bachelor’s degree in political philosophy in 1970. In between college and law school, he served one year on active duty (as part of his six-year commitment) with the New Jersey Air National Guard, 177th Fighter Squadron, and was honorably discharged in 1976. Johnson continued his education at Villanova University Law School, graduating in 1974.

Career

Attorney Johnson was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1974. He represented the Atlantic City Planning Board in the early 1980s. In explaining his motivation to write Boardwalk Empire, Johnson explained, "It [City Hall] was dysfunctional and corrupt. I thought, in order to do my job here, I have to find out how it got this way. I didn't set out to write a book. I just wanted a better understanding."

Prior to being appointed to the New Jersey Superior Court, Johnson represented South Jersey Publishing, owner of the Atlantic City Press for 20 years. Working with Press reporters, he succeeded in advancing New Jersey common law regarding the right to access public records. Johnson prevailed in two ground-breaking rulings that remain guideposts to judges and attorneys. Those decisions are South Jersey Publishing Co. vs N.J. Expressway Authority 124 N.J. 478 (1991) and A.C. Convention Center Authority vs. South Jersey Publishing Co. 135 N.J. 53 (1994).

During his career as a practicing attorney, Johnson attained an A-V Rating by Martindale Hubbell, which places him in the top 5% of attorneys.

Judge

Johnson practiced law for 31 years.

As a Trial Judge in the New Jersey Superior Court, Johnson handled all aspects of the civil docket, ranging from small claims and landlord-tenant matters to more than 200 jury trials. During his final 5 years, he presided over the Mass Torts docket involving thousands of product liability claims against pharmaceutical companies. During his tenure, he ruled on expert scientific testimony with far-reaching implications. On appeal, his opinion was sustained by the New Jersey Supreme Court in In Re: Accutane Litigation, 234 N.J. 340 (2018). His ruling in In Re T. Keena, Transfer of Structured Settlement Proceeds, 442 N.J. Super. 393 (2015) is acknowledged as the first published opinion on the necessary criteria for trial judges when assessing the sale of the proceeds of a structured settlement by injured litigants who had previously settled their claims via a long-term payout. Johnson retired from his position as a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in September 2018.

Public Service

Johnson has a life-long keen interest in public education. His experiences in public service began while still in law school. He was elected twice to the Hammonton Board of Education (1972-1976). During his tenure in 1973, he helped lead the successful campaign for approval of a public referendum to construct a new elementary school in his community. In 1999, as a private citizen, he co-chaired the committee that led the effort for approval of the referendum for the construction of a new high school in the Town of Hammonton.

Johnson was elected twice to the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners (formerly known as Freeholders) (1975-1979). As a county commissioner, he co-sponsored Atlantic County's first Administrative Code, Code of Ethics, and Affirmative Action Ordinance.

From 1982-2000, Johnson taught a course for the Rutgers University Extension Service to dozens of local Planning and Zoning Boards throughout New Jersey on the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Act requirements.

Johnson taught Land Use Law at Widener University Law School from 1993-1995.

Author

Nelson's 2002 book Boardwalk Empire was the basis for the HBO drama series Boardwalk Empire. Its sequel is The Northside: African Americans and the Creation of Atlantic City.

His third book, published by Rutgers University Press, is Battleground New Jersey: Vanderbilt, Hague and Their Fight for Justice, and is about the clash between long-time Jersey City Mayor, Frank “I am the Boss” Hague and Newark attorney, Arthur T. Vanderbilt and what Johnson often refers to as “the political dirt” that preceded the adoption of New Jersey’s ground-breaking and often emulated 1947 Constitution.

In January 2023, Gann Publishing published his legal handbook on the New Jersey Open Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act. It is co-authored with John Connell, Esq.

On May 17, 2023, his next book Style & Persuasion, A Handbook for Lawyers, will be officially released at the annual N.J. Bar Association Convention.

His first three books, Boardwalk Empire, The Northside, and Battleground New Jersey have all been used as a text in various college courses at Princeton University, Rutgers University, and Stockton University. Johnson’s fourth book is Darrow’s Nightmare which recounts the worst two years (1911-13) in the life of legendary lawyer Clarence Darrow when he was a criminal defendant himself in Los Angeles. Johnson's book is in large part based upon the 8,000-page trial transcript of Darrow’s trial wherein he was represented by legal genius Earl Rogers.

Johnson has made presentations on both Battleground New Jersey and Darrow's Nightmare to the annual New Jersey Judicial College conducted annually by the staff and administrators of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Darrow's Nightmare recounts the worst two years in the life of the legendary lawyer Clarence Darrow.

Speaker

Johnson speaks regularly on his books before diverse audiences. On May 7, 2011, Johnson addressed the graduating class of Stockton University, at which time he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters. On May 21, 2015, Johnson, along with Terence Winter, Ed McGinty, Gretchen Mol, and Vincent Piazza spoke before a live audience in the main auditorium of the National Archives in Washington, D.C. On October 20, 2019, Johnson delivered a TEDx Talk on the need for universal public service in Cape May, New Jersey.

Affiliations

Johnson currently serves as Chairperson of the N. J. Supreme Court Historical Society Advisory Committee. That committee is responsible for the creation of content included in the history of the N.J. Judiciary on the New Jersey Supreme Court's official website.

Formerly, he served as a member and, ultimately, Chairperson of the New Jersey District One Ethics Committee (1985-89). He is a member of the American Bar Association, the New Jersey State Bar Association, and the Atlantic County Bar Association. He is also a member and mentor with the Atlantic County Inns of Court program, in which senior lawyers mentor younger members of the Bar Association.

Awards for writing Boardwalk Empire and The Northside

1. Boardwalk Empire: Independent Publisher’s Award for best non-fiction on local history, 2010

2. The Northside: Independent Publisher’s Award for best African-American history, 2013

3. Community Leader of the Year: awarded by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce on 2-11-2011

4. Spirit of Hospitality: awarded by Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority on May 19, 2011

5. Artist of the Year 2012: awarded by the Town of Hammonton on September 29, 2012

6. Boardwalk Empire: recognition by U.S. National Archive at the Archive’s auditorium with Judge Johnson, Terence Winter, and several cast members of the HBO series, 2015

Personal life

Johnson has been married to educator Johanna Johnson, Ed.D., since 1973. Together they are parents of the New Jersey Superior Court Judge Sarah Beth Johnson, FBI Special Agent Ethan Johnson, and Professional Buyer Emily J. Jokinen. They are also the grandparents of seven children: Asher, Ava, Sloane, Johanna, Layla, Ariona, and Anthony. Johnson lives in Hammonton, N.J.