She made history as the first African American female superior court judge in Pierce County, marking a significant milestone in her career and setting a precedent for future generations.
STEILACOOM, WA, December 18, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Hon. Beverly Grant Johnson (ret'd) has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected because of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all considered during the selection process.
Judge Grant has dedicated over 40 years to the legal profession, establishing herself as a prominent figure in law and litigation. She served as a Pierce County Superior Court judge from 2003 to 2013 handling criminal felonies and civil cases with two years of service as a Presiding Judge for the juvenile court. She was among the initial 200 judges elected to participate as an Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource (ASTAR) Fellow in collaboration with the United States Justice Department, where she received training on various subjects including bionics, science, technology, and virtual law. In January 2013 she retired from the Pierce County Superior Court bench. She resumed her practice in Tacoma, WA. and remained licensed in California, too.
As the owner of Beverly Grant Law Firm P.S. since 2013, she focuses on civil employment litigation and personal injury. Passionate about serving as a voice for workers in the labor force who feel disengaged and unrepresented, Ms. Grant is dedicated to advocating for justice and upholding rights.
During her tenure, she made history as the first African American female superior court judge in Pierce County, marking a significant milestone in her career and setting a precedent for future generations. Before her judicial appointment by Governor Gary Locke and subsequent election, she was an attorney and partner at Grant & Grant Law Offices from 1997 to 2003, where she honed her skills in litigation and client advocacy. From 1980 to 1983, she worked as an associate at McGavick, Burgess et al. in Tacoma, Washington.
Ms. Grant owned her law practice, the Law Offices of Beverly Johnson & Associates (Tacoma, WA) with an emphasis on sexual harassment from 1983 to 1988. As a result of a successful federal court jury verdict in a sexual harassment case against the largest bank in Washington State, she was invited to speak at the national American Trial Lawyers Association winter convention in 1985 and later was published in 33AmJur Trials. To discourage sexual harassment cases, the publishers changed the successful $610,000 jury verdict to a loss rather than a win. Subsequently, she virtually served as the general counsel at Davies Pearson et al. (Tacoma, WA) between 1988 and 1992, providing legal guidance and representation on complex cases. She also physically practiced in downtown Los Angeles, CA at the California Plaza Building, leasing space with her husband from the soon-to-become mayor of Los Angeles, Richard Riordan, as the Offices of Beverly Grant & Associates from 1992 to 1997. Among the cases she litigated were high profile cases in Los Angeles against actors such as Fred Savage of The Wonder Years and Will Smith of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and other corporate CEOs. In 1998 she relocated to Tacoma, WA, to raise her children and practiced with her then husband as Grant & Grant until her elevation to the superior court at Tacoma, Washington in 2003.
While in law school, she clerked for the Washington Attorney General's Office and upon graduation from law school, in 1978 - 1980, she served as a senior law clerk to a federal district court judge in Tacoma, WA. She worked as a juvenile court public defender and as a pro bono attorney handling federal criminal cases. Highly educated, Ms. Grant received a Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts from the University of Washington (1973), and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Washington (1976). She has been admitted to practice by the Washington and California Bar Associations and served as a lecturer in employment law for various local, state and national associations. She has received multiple awards and acknowledgements from various bar associations.
In addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Grant was actively involved in various civic organizations including working as a board member for the charter school, SOAR. She served on several boards geared to assist disadvantaged families, including the Tacoma Hilltop Artists Board, the Lenny Wilkens Foundation, and the American Red Cross. She has served as the vice president of a local ski club. Ms. Grant's commitment to mentorship and community service is evident through her efforts to participate in reading programs in schools and mentoring young girls to introduce them to the legal profession and provide opportunities they might not have had otherwise. She also assisted college students in preparation of their college entry interviews for Harvard University. She enjoys travelling to various countries collecting art and being an epicurean. She was married to Grant for 22 years and they have two successful adult children, Jon and Arin Grant, and currently one grandchild. In 2021, she remarried a fellow student that she met in fourth grade whose last name is the same as her former maiden name.
Throughout her illustrious career, Ms. Grant continues to contribute significantly to the legal field and her community. Her efforts have helped establish important legal precedents and protections for workers and victims of harassment. Her dedication to protecting people's rights and advocating for legal justice remains unwavering, making her a respected legal figure. Considering her professional achievements, Ms. Grant was selected for inclusion in Lawyers of Distinction since 2023.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
# # #