A man poses for a photo.
Doug Johnson, ’00, serves on the McGeorge Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Douglas L. Johnson, ’00, is an internationally recognized entertainment lawyer known for handling high-profile litigation for industry talent, including producers, actors, directors, writers, and musicians. Recognized for resolving royalty and profit participation disputes, right of publicity cases, and theft of idea claims, he also handles privacy invasion, libel, sexual harassment, business disputes, and novel class actions. Johnson is also a member of the McGeorge School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Johnson has been named a top intellectual property litigator by Super Lawyer for over a decade, placing him in the top 2.5 percent in Southern California. The Daily Journal awarded him one of the Top 2020 Verdicts for his $10 million jury verdict and $7 million in legal fees against Coca-Cola and Monster Energy in a right of publicity case.

Johnson frequently writes on industry issues and speaks on educational panels. Johnson has written over 30 articles on entertainment and intellectual property law and regularly speaks on panels discussing those topics. Since 2012, he has been an adjunct professor at Southwestern School of Law, teaching Entertainment and Media Litigation.

His experience includes serving as outside general counsel for WorldStarHipHop.com, where he handled cutting-edge copyright and privacy issues. Johnson co-founded Johnson & Johnson and has been instrumental in developing California’s right of publicity laws, regularly representing celebrities, models, and athletes in litigation against unauthorized use of their images. He has litigated up to the California Supreme Court, advocating for protective precedents and educating law students on these vital rights.

Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law will celebrate members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni.   

Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary.