A Firm You Can Rely On In Complex Cases
Carl M. Johnson
- Associate
Practice Areas:
- Municipal Defense 50%
- Civil Rights Defense 50%
Biography
Carl joined The Sotos Law Firm in 2025 and represents government agencies and police officers in both state and federal court. Prior to joining the firm, Carl served as Special Counsel at Phillips Lytle LLP, where he handled high-stakes litigation involving breach of contract, business torts, and consumer lending. Before that, he was a Senior Managing Associate at Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP, representing clients in commercial disputes involving trade secrets, non-compete agreements, class actions, and intellectual property disputes. Earlier in his career, Carl served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel at the City of Chicago Law Department, focusing on Employment Litigation.
Carl received his law degree from Columbia University and a B.A. in Sociology from Yale University.
Education
- Columbia Law School, New York, New York
- J.D. - 2014
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
- B.A. - 2010
- Honors: With Distinction
- Major: Sociology
Bar Admission
- Illinois, 2014
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2015
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2015
Professional Associations
- Illinois State Bar Association, Present
Past Positions
- Phillips Lytle, LLP, Special Counsel, 2024 to 2025
- Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff, Associate, 2020 to 2024
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch
- 40 Under 40 Gamechangers by WVON and Ariel Investments
- National Black Lawyers Association Top 40 Under 40
Languages
- English