Phil Johnson was born in Rockford, Illinois. He studied News-Editorial Journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning both an undergraduate and master’s degree. From there, Phil embarked on a five-year odyssey around the United States, working as a roving journalist. While working as the editor of a small-town newspaper in Montana, he uncovered millions of dollars in excessive taxation, earning national recognition for his investigative journalism.

While working for a legal newspaper in the Bay Area, Phil decided to enroll in law school. At UC Law San Francisco, formerly known as UC Hastings, Phil served as a teaching assistant for his Torts professor, Shanin Specter, and was a member of the school’s competitive Mock Trial Team. Phil now coaches the Trial Team and helps young students develop their advocacy skills. He is an avid fan of the following sports teams: Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors.