Judge Wiesław Johann was born on 9 September 1939 in Oszmiana. In 1964 he graduated from the Faculty of Law and Administration of Warsaw University. He attended prosecutor's training until 1966. From 1971 to 1973 he served as legal advisor in ZAIKS Artists Society. He work as journalist for the Polish Radio from 1973 to 1981.

Since 1982 judge Johann practised as an advocate. He appeared as a defence counsel in many political cases. From 1990 to 1991 he served as Government Commissioner for Liquidation of the Central Office of Control of Publications and Public Performances. He was also a chairman of the Complaints Committee on Restitution of Assets of Trade Unions and Voluntary Organisations. He is currently a lecturer of the Collegium Civitas [a tertiary education institution] in Warsaw.

He is a prolific author of books and scholarly publications in the field of press law and copyright law.

In November 1997 the Sejm of the Republic of Poland appointed him judge of the Constitutional Tribunal.