About Us

Attorneys

James C. Johnson is an attorney and former certified public accountant with over thirty years experience in the legal and accounting fields. Mr. Johnson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science from Stanford University. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Johnson worked in the tax departments of Arthur Young and Company, CPAs, and Ernst and Young, CPAs for four years. Mr. Johnson worked as a sole practitioner CPA while attending law school and received his law degree from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, with honors.
Mr. Johnson is a Partner in the law firm of Johnson & Black, LLP and practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, contract, real property and tax law. He is a member of the California and Tulare County Bar Associations, past director and member of the Visalia Jaycees, Director and past President of the Tulare-Kings Counties Estate Planning Council, member of the Supervisory Committee of the Tucoemas Federal Credit Union, a director of the board of the Kaweah Delta Hospice Foundation and a past member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Paula A. Black is a an attorney and a real estate broker with over twenty-five years experience in the legal field. Mrs. Black received her Bachelor of Science degree in Law and Juris Doctorate from Northwestern California University School of Law. Mrs. Black is admitted to practice law in the State of California and United States District Court, Eastern District of California. (CalDRE #02132846)
Mrs. Black is a Partner in the law firm of Johnson & Black, LLP and focuses her practice in the areas of trust and estate planning and administration, probate, contract, real property and tax law. Her professional affiliations include memberships in the State Bar of California, including Trust and Estates section, Tulare County Bar Association (also past board member), American Bar Association, National Association of Counsel for Children, California Blue Ribbon Commission, and Tulare-Kings Counties Estate Planning Council. She has also served on the Board of Directors of United Way of Tulare County, training advisor for CASA of Tulare County, and currently serves as Vice President of the Boys and Girls Club of the Sequoias.

Kyle J. Johnson is an Associate attorney in the law firm of Johnson & Black, LLP and practices in the areas of estate planning, business planning and formation, contract, real property and tax law. Mr. Johnson received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Financial Services from San Diego State University, graduating cum laude. Mr. Johnson went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from Chapman University’s Dale E. Fowler School of Law, graduating magna cum laude. His professional affiliations include membership in the State Bar of California, Tulare County Bar Association and Tulare-Kings Counties Estate Planning Council.

Estate Administration Paralegal

WENDY E. CULBRETH completed her paralegal training in 1982 at the ABA accredited St. Mary’s College Paralegal Program in the Bay Area where she specialized in estate administration. Mrs. Culbreth worked for Thelan, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges in San Francisco and Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May in Oakland before joining the firm of Hurlbutt, Clevenger, Long, Rauber & Nelson in 1987. Mrs. Culbreth has provided estate administration support since 1987 and remained with former partners David Rauber and Jim Johnson as they ventured out to form their own law firm. Mrs. Culbreth continues to provide paralegal support at Johnson & Black, LLP in all estate cases – probate, revocable trust settlement, testamentary trust settlement, conservatorships, guardianships, and in many estate planning and trust funding matters.

Paralegals

DebRA Theis has over twenty years experience in the legal field, completing her paralegal training in 1999 at the College of the Sequoias Paralegal Program. Mrs. Theis worked primarily in the area of Family Law prior to joining Johnson & Black, LLP in 2017. Mrs. Theis continues to provide paralegal support in all trust, estate, real property, and business matters. She is a Visalia native, who continues to support local organizations such as Visalia Community Enhancement Foundation.

Peggy S. Scofield has over 34 years of experience in the legal field. She acquired her Paralegal status due to the many years of experience in various areas of the law. Prior to joining the law firm of Johnson & Black, LLP, she worked providing legal support in conservatorships, trust, and estate matters. She loves to spend time with her grandchildren, read and crochet.

Marsha Childs has over 44 years of experience in the legal field. She graduated with an AA Degree from West Hills Community College and a BS from Chapman University. She acquired her Paralegal status due to the many years of experience in various areas of the law. Prior to joining the law firm of Johnson & Black, LLP, she worked providing legal support in conservatorships, trust, and estate matters for the majority of those 44 years. She loves to spend time with her Borzoi (formerly known as a Russian Wolfhound) reading, knitting, crocheting and trying out new dinner dishes.