A former Walnut Creek, California, real estate attorney faces multiple life sentences after his conviction on 27 felony counts related to the sexual abuse of children and the possession of hundreds of images of child sexual abuse material.
Fifty-one-year-old Jonathan Dean Bishop of Bishop Law Group was found guilty by a Contra Costa County jury earlier this month on 24 counts of committing lewd acts on three minor victims under the age of 14 and of sexually abusing one child under the age of 10 during an eight-year span between 2010 and 2018.
Child sexual abuse material seized from Bishop was recovered from a hard drive taken by officers at Oakland International Airport in December 2023 when Bishop flew in from Florida, where he had been residing.
In a statement, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “The bravery shown by these victims was extraordinary, and their courage made this conviction possible. We are grateful for the outstanding work of law enforcement and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose forensic and investigative efforts were critical to this case.”
“I am also proud of our entire trial team — the Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted the case, our legal clerks, witness coordinators, victim advocates, and investigative staff — whose dedication and professionalism were evident every step of the way. Our office will always stand with the most vulnerable members of our community and remain committed to holding those who harm children accountable.”
Bishop was admitted to the California Bar in 2004 and became inactive in February 2025, then was deemed “Not eligible to practice law in CA” due to Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) noncompliance.
According to the Contra Costa Herald, Bishop’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 17.
