Justin B. Atkinson

Academic Dean
Professor of Law

Education

J.D., University of Utah
M.A., University of Utah
B.A., University of Utah

Courses Taught

Professor Atkinson teaches Contracts and serves as Academic Dean. Prior to joining the SJCL faculty in 2010, Professor Atkinson practiced general litigation with the Fresno firm of McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Wayte and Carruth LLP. Later, Professor Atkinson joined the Office of the Fresno County Counsel. At County Counsel, his focus was civil litigation with an emphasis in public entity liability. His practice included extensive motion and trial work, as well as appellate work, at both the state and federal level. In law school he was an executive editor of the Utah Journal of International Law, and published work on topics related to international law and literature. Before attending law school, Professor Atkinson taught Spanish and Latin-American literature at the University of Utah.

Scholarship

Police Liability for Tactical Conduct Preceding the Use of Force – The implications of Hayes v. County of San Diego, 37 THE PUB. L.J., no. 1 (Winter 2014) (with Michael R. Linden).
Can A Lawful Arrest Be Negligent? 35 THE PUB. L.J., no. 2, at 19 (Spring 2012) (with Michael R. Linden).
The Role of Memory in the Aftermath of Massive Human Rights Violations, 16 UTAH FOREIGN LANGUAGE REVIEW 59 (2007).
Res Gestae 29 (2006): 31-32.

Media

Valley Views on the Law: Patsy Montgomery, Associate Vice President for Legislative Campaigns for Planned Parenthood, joins Professors Jeffrey G. Purvis and Justin Atkinson on Valley Views on the Law to talk about recent developments in the courts and legislature related to family planning , SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Setember 7, 2017) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Dr. Marc Lasher joins Professors Jeffrey G. Purvis and Justin Atkinson on Valley Views on the Law to talk about a move in some states toward civil commitment of opioid users, along with his experiences with addicts and what he feels will work , SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (August 3, 2017) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Attorney Rachelle Taylor Golden discusses changes in Disability Law, including a new slew of lawsuits regarding websites that are not accessible to visually impaired people , SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (July 6, 2017) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Central California Legal Services Special Projects Attorney Jennifer Mele joins Professors Jeffrey G. Purvis and Justin Atkinson to talk about Elder Abuse , SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (June 1, 2017) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Family Law Attorney Karen Mathes (Law ’95), a self-described lobbyist against modern day slavery and human trafficking talks about whether First Amendment Rights supersede concerns about child safety when it comes to allowing social media access for child predators , SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (April 6, 2017) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Kings County Assistant District Attorney Nick Schuller talks about current California gun law and possible changes , SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (March 2, 2017) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Proposed Slumlord Ordinances Headed to the Fresno City Council, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Feb. 2, 2017) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: New School Requirements in California Mandating Teaching the Armenian Genocide with Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jan. 5, 2017) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Depth and Limits of Freedom of Expression as it Relates Both to the Rights of the Press and Those of Students, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Dec. 1, 2016) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Fate of Millions of Undocumented Immigrants Who Could Face Deportation after the Supreme Court’s Decision not to Reconsider Obama's Immigration Plan, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Nov. 1, 2016) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: "Don't Vote! Let the rich people run America, as God and the Framers intended!”, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Oct. 6, 2016) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Recent Court Rulings on Voting Access and Voters’ Rights, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Sept. 1, 2016) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Defense for Folks Battling Various Gun Violation Charges, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Aug. 4, 2016) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Is a Wetland a Waterway? Or is a Bog, for Peat’s Sake? And What Does That Mean for Property Owners?, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jul. 7,2016) .
Valley Views on the Law: Free Speech or Free Opinions? Or Both?, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (May 5, 2016) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Will Clovis Unified Face a Lawsuit Over Its Dress Code Policy?, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Mar. 3,2016) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Potential Changes in DUI Law, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Feb. 4, 2016) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Areas in Which Ethics and the Law Overlap, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jan. 7, 2016) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: How Arbitration Can Affect the Consumers’ Right to Sue, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Dec. 5, 2015) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: “Crimmigration,” or the Immigration Consequences for Defendants in Criminal Cases, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Nov. 5, 2015) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: What Actions Officers Can and Cannot Request from People if They are not Under Arrest, along with False Allegations Officers May Face from Angry Individuals, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Sept. 3, 2015) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: History of the ACLU in Fresno and Other Local Issues, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Aug. 6, 2015) MP3 (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: No Guest? No problem!, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jul. 2, 2015) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Whether Recent Supreme Court Rulings Make it Harder to Get Solid Evidence for a Conviction, Possibly Preserving the Constitution at the Expense of Justice, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jun. 4, 2015) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Legal and Social Issues of Mandated Vaccinations, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (May 7, 2015) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Employee Organizations Under Legal Threat, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Apr. 2, 2015) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Merits of Lawsuits Targeting Those in Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Abuses of the System, and How Businesses Can Protect Themselves, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Mar. 3, 2015) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Constitutional Issues of Search and Seizure--Drunk Driving, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Feb. 5, 2015) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Current Trends in Defaults and Collections, and How They Affect Lower Income Individuals, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jan. 1, 2015) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Immigration Reform, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Dec. 4, 2014) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Constitutional and Statutory Issues Regarding Housing Discrimination, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Nov. 6, 2014) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Tort Reform, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Sept. 4, 2014) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Government by Referendum and the City of Fresno Water Rate Controversy, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jul. 3. 2014) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Is False Speech Protected by the Constitution?, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jun. 9, 2014) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Civil Disobedience and Armed Resistance: Whose Freedom is at Stake?, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (May 1, 2014) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Legal Challenges Presented by Drones, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Apr. 3, 2014) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Challenges to the First Amendment Faced by Both the Local Media and Individuals, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Mar. 6, 2014) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Public Defender’s Office: A View from the Top, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jan. 1, 2014) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Homeless Situation in Fresno. SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Dec. 5, 2013) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Supreme Court Eviscerates the Voting Rights Act, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Nov. 7, 2013) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Legal and Constitutional Aspects of Marketing Orders, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Aug. 1, 2013) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Tension Between Security and Liberty in a Free Nation, Especially in Light of the Bombings at the Boston Marathon, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jul. 4, 2013) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The “Brainwash Defense”, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jun 6, 2013) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Move To Amend:The Supreme Court’s Citizens United Ruling and Other Indications of Potential Corporate Influence in This Country, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (May 2, 2013) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Defense of Officers in Civil Litigation, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Apr. 4 2013) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis)..
Valley Views on the Law: The Second Amendment, Especially in Light of the Many Plans that are Under Discussion Regarding Gun Control in the Wake of the Newtown Shootings, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Mar. 1, 2013) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Equal Protection of the Laws in the Context of the Internment of Americans of Japanese Descent During World War II, Including the Build-up Leading to the Internments, False Intelligence Claims Which Fired Fear of the Japanese Americans, and the Internments’ Legal Challenges, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Feb. 1, 2013) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Child Custody as it Plays Out in the International Context, in Light of the Supreme Court’s Decision to Review an International Custody Case, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jan 3, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Affirmative Action in Light of Current Supreme Court Arguments Which Could Affect Educational Institutions Nationwide, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Dec. 6, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The First Amendment in the Media Age, Including Privacy Lawsuits Against Facebook and Google, Civil Liberties at Risk in Social Media Circumstances, Data Mining, and “Like” Button First Amendment Issues, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Nov. 1, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Voter Fraud, Voter I.D. Laws, the Future of On-line Voting, and More, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Oct. 4, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Impact of Such White Collar Crime on Business and How Businesses Can Protect Themselves, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Sept. 6, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Foreclosure Crisis, Why It Occurred, the Role of Predatory Lenders and Big Banks, and What Relief, if any, is Available to Consumers, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Aug. 2, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Recent Supreme Court Ruling Allowing Strip Searches of Any Individual Booked into a Jail for Any Reason, the Intimidation Power of the Threat of Strip Searches, and How That Threatened Humiliation is Used to Deter Others in Protests as a Form of “Social Control”, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jul 5, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Potential Funeral Industry Manipulation and Guilt-based Buying Tactics, Along with “Green Burial” and the Pitfalls of “Pre-need” Plans, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jun 7, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Issues Affecting the Current Dropout Rate, the Decrease in Funding for Higher Education, Parental Influences on Student Success, Charter Schools, and Whether There is a Constitutional Right to an Education, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (May 3, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Obama Administration’s Policy on Contraception Coverage for Religious Organizations, Allegations that Requiring Such Coverage is an Attack on Religion, the Controversy Surrounding the Komen Foundation’s Funding of Breast Cancer Screening, and Other Current Political Firestorms Surrounding Planned Parenthood, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Apr. 5, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Equal Protection Clause to the Natural Law View, the Recent Prop. 8 Rulings, and Constitutional Scrutiny of Gay Marriage, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Mar. 1, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Payday Loans to Foreclosures, Creation of Bank on Fresno as a Way to Steer Lower Income Residents Toward Financial Security, and How Credit Unions are the Latest to Join the Effort, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Feb. 23, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Issues Including Declining Union Ranks, Changing Perceptions of Unions, Benefits of Membership, and the Current Dispute Between Unions and Fresno County in Which a Nine Percent Rollback in Pay Prompted a Three-day Work Stoppage, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Feb. 16, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Industries in the Valley Which Attack Traffickers, How to Avoid Items Produced with Slave Labor, Socially Responsible Investing, and a February 21st Free Event at SJCL Featuring Anti-human Slavery Films, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Feb. 9, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Arbitration Issues Surrounding the Honda Small Claims Case, Whether Consumers Are Unfairly Forced into Signing Arbitration Agreements to Obtain Cell Phone and Other Services, and Newt Gingrich’s Suggestion That Judges with Whom He Disagrees Should Be Brought Before Congress, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Feb. 2, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Purpose of the ACLU, Its Current Focal Issues, and How the ACLU Attempts to Protect Constitutional Rights in the Face of Accusations That It Also Provides Cover for Nazis, the KKK, and Other Unpopular Movements, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jan. 26, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Definition of International Law, Its Evolution, Controversies, International Courts, Political Influences, and the Need for a Stronger Focus in the Valley on Issues Encompassed by International Law, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jan. 19, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Generalized Goals of the Occupy Movement to First Amendment Issues, Distrust of the Political System, and the Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Occupy Fresno, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jan. 12, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Free Speech and the Constitutional Issues Ranging From Potential FCC Decisions to Indecency Definitions, Community Standards, and New Fines for Broadcast Stations Totaling Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Jan. 5, 2012) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: New Book “Elusive Peace” and the Differences Between Peace Making the Various forms of mediation and arbitration, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Dec. 29, 2011) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Constitutional Aspects of Capital Punishment, the Deterrent Effect, the High Number of Death Row Inmates with Mental Illnesses, and the Political Aspects of any Death Penalty Discussion, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Dec. 22 2011) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The New American Legal Clinic - a Look at the Clinic’s Purpose, the Need it Serves, and the Population Eligible for Help, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Dec. 15, 2011) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: The Debate Over the Independent Police Auditor, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Dec. 8, 2011) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Jail Realignment, the Probation Process, and How to Make Limited Resources Stretch to Cover a Growing Probation Population, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Dec. 1, 2011) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Animal Law - Caring for a Pet After the Owner’s Death to Liability for Damages or Injury from Pets, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Nov. 24, 2011) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Immigration - the Debate About Cheap Labor and Whether it is Helping or Hurting the Economy, and the Proposed AgJobs Legislation, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Nov. 17, 2011) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Local Crackdown on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries - The Conflict Between State and Federal Law Creates the Question of How Local Government Can Regulate or Ban Dispensaries, Leaving Many Dispensary Owners in the Lurch or Even in Jail, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Nov. 10, 2011) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).
Valley Views on the Law: Breakdown of Homeless Encampments in the Downtown Area, the Face of Homelessness, and Plans to Provide Housing, Drug Treatment, and Other Assistance to Those Willing to Leave the Streets, SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW AND KFCF 88.1 (Nov. 3, 2011) (with Jeffrey G. Purvis).