C. David Johnson Jr. is a Chief Deputy in the Legal Division. Mr. Johnson began his service in this position with the office in 2021.

Mr. Johnson’s career prior to returning to the OLC as a Chief Deputy featured extensive legislative, legal, and management experience working both within the Legislature and at Executive Branch agencies. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director of Legislation for the Department of Motor Vehicles. At the DMV, Mr. Johnson directed the work of the Office of Legislation, advised executives and the Governor’s Office on legislative matters, and served as the DMV’s representative to the Legislature. He performed similar duties as Legislative Director for the Department of Toxic Substances Control, after serving in the Assembly as a Legislative Director.

In his first experience with the OLC as a Deputy Legislative Counsel from 2011 to 2014, he worked in both the 5th Floor Legislation Branch and the Legislative Services Branch. The Legislative Services Branch is responsible for advising the Members and legislative staff on legislative procedure, appropriations and the state budget, the Political Reform Act of 1974, election law, litigation, personnel issues, and other legislative matters, and for drafting contracts and leases. Mr. Johnson’s drafting experience included preparing complex constitutional amendments and legislation in areas such as taxation and public finance. Additionally, he prepared legal opinions for Members of the Legislature regarding the legal effect and constitutionality of proposed legislative measures and provisions of existing laws. He was a Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellow before first joining the agency.

Mr. Johnson earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Master of Arts degree in government and politics from St. John’s University, and Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Mr. Johnson is a member of the California State Bar.