
Career Highlights: Appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2009; commissioner, Los Angeles County Superior Court, 2006-09; deputy public defender, 1987-06.
Law School: Howard University School of Law, 1986
LONG BEACH — It’s not uncommon for Judge John Lawson II to suggest minor defendants sign up for library cards and check out books focused on their personal interests.
“If you go pick out some books on soccer, tell me what those books are,” Lawson said, offering an example of what he might say to a juvenile in his Los Angeles County Superior Court room. “It’s trying to figure out something that’s going to move them toward... (continued)