Paris K. Johnson is an Associate in the firm’s Business & Commercial Law, Land Use & Eminent Domain, and Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice groups. Paris earned her law degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, William S. Richardson School of Law. While there, she served as President of the student chapter of the Federal Bar Association, as the Volume 26 Executive Editor and a Volume 25 Staff Editor of the Asian-Pacific Law & Policy Journal, and as a teaching assistant for the First Year Writing Course. She was also the Lead Campus Representative for Kaplan and participated in the Ete Bowl (women’s flag football) during all three years at the law school.
During the summer of 2024, Paris held a Summer Law Associate position at Damon Key, where she worked on various types of matters. She conducted legal research, assisted with drafting pleadings and estate plans, and assisted with discovery.
Paris was also a Legal Extern with The Honorable James H. Ashford (Spring 2024) and The Honorable Paul B. K. Wong (Summer 2023), both Judges of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, State of Hawaii. It was during this time that she witnessed a deeply impactful moment that solidified her desire to pursue a legal career. A criminal defendant, overcome with emotion, thanked the judge for his compassion, saying that without it, they would not be alive today. According to Paris, that moment reminded her that the legal system, often perceived as rigid and impersonal, can also be a source of hope and healing. It affirmed her belief that attorneys and judges alike have the power to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, not only through advocacy but through empathy and humanity.
Before pursuing her law degree, Paris earned her Paralegal Certificate at the University of Hawaii, Kapiolani Community College, where she made the Dean’s List in 2018 and 2019. While working towards her certificate, she worked as a paralegal for a criminal defense attorney in Honolulu. She later put her paralegal education to work as a civil litigation paralegal at a mid-sized Honolulu law firm, where she managed the litigation calendar and discovery (e.g., reviewing documents, drafting requests, and producing documents), helped draft pleadings, facilitated billing, communicated with clients and opposing counsel, and prepared for and attended depositions and a full-length jury trial.
Paris holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Northern Arizona University, where she routinely made the Dean’s List. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, she was a Legal Intern in the real estate practice group of a Honolulu-based law firm, where she conducted legal research and reviewed and helped file legal documents.
Paris also served as a Legal Intern in the Criminal Prosecution and Misdemeanor Division of the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. While there, she conducted legal research, prepared juror cards, reviewed police reports and witness statements, screened cases, and observed court proceedings.
Paris believes that her greatest strengths are communication, empathy and humility. Her attention to detail has also served her well over the years. From a young age, her parents noticed her ability to recall details and mimic dialogue with precision, quoting lines from films exactly as they were spoken.
What Paris values most about being a lawyer is the chance to serve others in a meaningful and lasting way. As Paris sees it, the law is a tool for equity, protection and empowerment. Her desire to become an attorney stems from a deep commitment to helping individuals navigate complex systems, assert their rights and find resolution.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Paris is a graduate of Sacred Hearts Academy. She is certified in Nextpoint (e-Discovery Software), which automates the complex process of electronic discovery. Her hobbies include decorating for the holidays, watching movies and thrifting.
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Hawaii State Bar Association
Bar Admissions
- State of Hawaii
- U.S. District Court (District of Hawaii)
