Nelson Johnson

Author and Retired NJ Superior Court Judge

Nelson C. Johnson is an author, former judge, lawyer, and historian, best known for his 2002 New York Times bestseller, Boardwalk Empire.

His book served as the basis for the popular and Emmy Award-winning HBO crime drama TV series, Boardwalk Empire.

The Honorable Nelson C. Johnson, J.S.C.(Ret.) practiced law for 31 years prior to being appointed to the New Jersey Superior Court (Martindale-Hubbell lawyer rating: “A-V”).
During his first eight years on the bench, Judge Johnson sat in the Civil Division and presided over more than 250 jury trials. During his final five years on the bench, he was one of three judges in New Jersey assigned to Multi-County Litigation, involving product liability claims.

Judge Johnson recently released his new novel, - Darrow’s Nightmare.