Mr. Johnson was born in October 1944 and spent his childhood in Shelby County, Indiana. He attended Indiana University Bloomington, recieving a Bachleor of Science degree in Education in 1966. He recieved his juris doctrate degree from the Indiana Univeristy Indianapolis Law School in 1971. He was a clerk for Indiana Supreme Court during 1970-1971.
Joseph M. Johnson, II, was admitted to the Indiana State bar in 1971 and to the Ohio State Bar in 2001. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts - Northern and Southern districts of Indiana and the United States Supreme Court. His professional memberships include: Adams County Bar Association, Indiana State Bar Association (Board of Directors 1995-1997), Indiana Bar Foundation (President, 1990-1992), Indiana Trial lawyers Association.
Since beginning his practice in 1971, Mr. Johnson has been an active trial lawyer, representing individuals and families in a variety of litigation areas, including personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, products liability, insurance, commercial, criminal, divorce and child custody. He has had nearly fifty (50) years of trial experience throughout Northeast Indiana, with jury trial experience in Adams, Wells, Huntington, Allen & Noble Counties, and also in Ohio. Mr. Johnson has also had appellate practice experience in Indiana and Ohio. Some of his published opinions include: Helm v. Helm. 873 N.E. 2d 83, Ind. App. (2007) Shettz v. Sheetz, 63 N.E.3d 1077 (2nd App.. 2016),Indiana Court of Appeals; In Re: The Marriage of Huss. 888 N.E. 2d 1238, Ind. (2008) Indiana Supreme Court; and Thompson v. Bagley. 3d Dist No. 11 -04-12,2005-Ohio-I921, Ohio 3d Dist. Court of Appeals, Mr. Johnson also practices in other areas, including: estates, wills, trusts, real estate, corporate and municipal law (Decatur City Attorney 1976-1987)
Mr. Johnson and his wife, Carol, have made Decatur, Indiana there home since 1974. They are parents of three adult children and have five grandchildren.