Knut S. Johnson | Mediator & Arbitrator

35+

Years of Trial Experience

80+

Federal Jury Trials

ACTL

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers

ABF

Fellow, American Bar Foundation

Philosophy

A mediator who has been at the table

Knut has sat where you sit. He has seen what you are facing. He knows this is hard. He knows that the frustrations and aggravations of being in a dispute feel overwhelming. He has counseled thousands of clients through exactly this situation. He has tried more than 80 federal jury trials, representing clients from every walk of life facing some of the most serious challenges of their lives.

When Knut sits as your mediator, he does not sit as a distant academic or a retired judge reviewing paper. He sits as someone who has spent his career in federal courtrooms, who has counseled the frightened, the exhausted, the resolute, and the uncertain — and who has helped them find their way through.

That experience is not background. It is the work.

"He is not trying to impose a result. He is trying to help you find yours."

On Knut's mediation approach

Fellowships & Recognition

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
AV Preeminent® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyers in America®, 2005–present
Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers, 2026–2027
Unanimous ABA "Well Qualified" — Article III Judicial Nominee

Contact

(619) 602-0277
knut@knutsjohnsonmediation.com
110 W A Street, Suite 1075
San Diego, CA 92101
Licensed in California, New Mexico, and additional western states. Available nationally.

Both Sides of the Table

He has been where every party in your mediation sits

Most mediators understand disputes in the abstract. Knut has lived them — as the lawyer fighting for the defense, and as the lawyer fighting for the injured. That dual experience is not incidental to his work as a neutral. It is the reason he is effective.

Defense

Representing those facing the worst crisis of their lives

Knut has defended people and businesses facing the worst crisis of their lives. Whether confronting federal criminal charges, massive civil exposure, or institutional reputational risk, his clients came to him when everything was on the line.

He is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who was able to settle the most difficult and emotional cases because of his calm demeanor, deep understanding of the facts and law, and persistence. When he sits across from a defendant or their counsel today, he knows exactly what is at stake — and he knows what it takes to bring those parties to resolution.

Plaintiffs

Standing with those hurt by others

Knut has represented thousands of people who had been hurt by others — injured workers, victims of negligence, individuals wronged by powerful institutions. He fought for them in federal courtrooms across the country.

And in doing so, he learned which cases should settle and how to settle them. He knows when a plaintiff's position is strong, when a case is being overvalued, and what it actually takes to bring both sides to yes. That knowledge makes him a more effective neutral — not a theorist, but someone who has delivered results on both sides of the table.

Method

How Knut works

Evaluative

Frank assessment of risk

Knut draws on more than 35 years of federal trial experience to give parties and counsel a candid, informed view of litigation risk, likely outcomes, and the real cost of continued dispute. He is not neutral about reality.

Facilitative

Space for real conversation

Many disputes are not resolved by argument alone. Knut creates the conditions — private caucuses, joint sessions, candid sidebar conversations with counsel — for parties to hear each other and find common ground.

Arbitration

Binding resolution when needed

For disputes requiring a final, binding decision, Knut serves as arbitrator. His experience across complex federal civil and criminal matters gives him the judgment to rule fairly and efficiently, with written decisions when requested.

Practice Areas

Dispute types

Commercial & Business

Partnership and shareholder disputes, breach of contract, business dissolution, trade secret and non-compete matters, and complex multi-party commercial litigation.

Employment

Wrongful termination, harassment and discrimination claims, wage and hour disputes, executive separation, and class action employment matters.

Professional Liability

Legal, medical, and accounting malpractice; errors and omissions claims; and disputes involving licensed professionals and their insurers.

Environmental Disputes

Environmental liability, regulatory compliance disputes, contamination and cleanup cost allocation, natural resource damages, and land use conflicts involving government agencies and private parties.

Real Property

Construction disputes, real estate transactions, landlord-tenant matters, boundary and easement disputes, and developer-contractor conflicts.

Personal Injury & Tort

Serious personal injury, wrongful death, products liability, and high-value tort matters where trial experience on both sides of the table matters.

Background

Credentials & Recognition

Education

J.D., University of San Diego School of Law
B.A., University of California San Diego

Bar Admissions

State Bar of California
State Bar of New Mexico
U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Fellowships

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Fellow, American Bar Foundation

Ratings

AV Preeminent® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Unanimous ABA "Well Qualified" — Highest Rating for Article III Judicial Nominees

Recognition

Best Lawyers in America®, 2005–present
Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers, 2026–2027
Super Lawyers®, Criminal Defense
San Diego Super Lawyers®
Marquis Who's Who Lifetime Achievement, 2017
Top Attorneys, San Diego Magazine

Service

San Diego County Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association
USMC Commendation Medal, 2001

Schedule

Request a Session

Knut accepts mediation and arbitration engagements throughout California and New Mexico, and is available for in-person and remote mediations throughout the West and nationally. Sessions may be conducted in person at his San Diego office or via video conference.

Because every engagement begins with a conflict check and confirmation that all parties are on board, scheduling is handled directly through Knut's office. Submit an inquiry below and his office will respond within one business day to confirm availability and next steps.

In-person sessions at 110 W A Street, Suite 1075, San Diego
Video conference sessions via Zoom or your preferred platform
Half-day and full-day session formats available
Pre-mediation calls available upon request
Evening and weekend sessions by arrangement

Prefer to reach out directly?

(619) 602-0277
knut@knutsjohnsonmediation.com

All inquiries are confidential. Knut's office will respond within one business day.

Request received. Knut's office will be in touch within one business day to confirm availability and next steps. If you need to reach us sooner, call (619) 602-0277.

Pre-Session Submission

Submit Briefs & Supporting Documents

Knut reviews all pre-mediation submissions carefully before each session. Submitting a mediation brief and relevant documents in advance allows him to arrive fully prepared — knowledgeable about the facts, the parties' positions, and the key disputes that need to be resolved.

Confidential submissions are accepted from any party. Documents submitted by one party are not shared with the other without express written consent.

Accepted Submissions

Mediation briefs (confidential or joint)
Key pleadings and court orders
Expert reports and damage analyses
Settlement correspondence
Contracts and key agreements at issue
Photographs, video, or demonstrative exhibits
Any other documents you consider relevant

Submissions are encrypted in transit. For highly sensitive materials, please call (619) 602-0277 to arrange secure delivery.

Upload Documents

PDF, Word, and common document formats accepted. Maximum 50 MB per file.

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Clicking the button above opens a secure Dropbox upload page — no Dropbox account required. All submissions are confidential and not shared with opposing parties without your express written consent. Knut will confirm receipt within one business day.

Contact

Get in Touch

Licensed in California and New Mexico, with additional admissions in Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and New York. Available for in-person and remote mediations throughout the West and nationally.

Phone

(619) 602-0277

knut@knutsjohnsonmediation.com

Office

110 W A Street, Suite 1075
San Diego, CA 92101

Intake Inquiry

Your Name

Phone

Type of Dispute

Brief Description

All inquiries are confidential. Knut will respond within one business day.