Carl M. Johnson

Carl M. Johnson is a seasoned Chicago business litigation attorney who currently serves as a Partner at Loftus & Eisenberg, ready to elevate the firm’s commercial litigation practice with aggressive, results-driven advocacy on behalf of businesses and entrepreneurs. With more than a decade of experience in complex commercial litigation, Carl focuses on contract disputes, partnership and shareholder conflicts, real estate litigation, employment law matters, and business torts. His ability to successfully represent clients in both federal and state courts makes him a highly sought-after litigator in the Chicago legal market.

Carl began his legal career after earning his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he co-founded the Columbia Law School Writing Center and was involved in the Environmental Law Clinic. He also holds a B.A. from Yale University. While in law school, Carl gained early hands-on experience through judicial externships with the Honorable Deborah A. Batts of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the Honorable Michael B. Hyman of the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Chancery Division. These experiences cemented his commitment to excellence in litigation and sharpened the courtroom skills he uses today to advocate for clients across a broad range of industries.

Prior to joining Loftus & Eisenberg as Partner, Carl held key litigation roles at several prestigious firms. He 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 an 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 also worked at Novack and Macey LLP, one of Chicago’s leading trial-focused litigation boutiques.

Carl’s legal skills and leadership have earned him notable recognition. In 2024, he was named to the Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch list, as well as 40 Under 40 Gamechangers by WVON and Ariel Investments. In 2020, he was named to the National Black Lawyers Association’s “Top 40 Under 40” list for Illinois–an honor reserved for attorneys demonstrating outstanding legal ability, leadership, and commitment to the Black legal community. These distinctions reflect both his professional accomplishments and his passion for promoting diversity in the legal profession.

In his role at Loftus & Eisenberg, Carl plays a leading role in advising startups, mid-sized businesses, investors, and corporate clients involved in commercial litigation. His strategic approach to dispute resolution–balancing legal precision with a business-first mindset–makes him a trusted advisor to clients navigating high-risk legal conflicts. He is particularly experienced in pre-litigation counseling, motion practice, discovery, and trial preparation.

Carl is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He is also active in legal associations focused on trial advocacy, minority representation in law, and ongoing professional development.

With a proven track record in complex commercial litigation, Carl M. Johnson is committed to delivering strong results for his clients while helping Loftus & Eisenberg continue its growth as a top Chicago litigation law firm. His combination of elite credentials, deep litigation experience, and strong client advocacy makes him one of the leading business litigators in Illinois.

Carl lives in his hometown of Long Grove, IL with his wife and daughter.