Christopher W. Carmichael

Mr. Carmichaels practice focuses on: Commercial Litigation; Appeals; and Contracts. Mr. Carmichaels clients include businesses in retailing, manufacturing, technology, and services industries. His clients range from closely-held entrepreneurial businesses to publicly traded companies. Mr. Carmichael is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society, and a member of the Trial Law Institute and Diversity Law Institute. Commercial Litigation Mr. Carmichaels commercial litigation practice covers antitrust, breach of contract, consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices, false and deceptive marketing, fraud, trademarks and copyrights, and mass and class actions. Early resolution and ADR are used wherever appropriate to resolve matters quickly and efficiently for clients. Where a negotiated solution is not possible, Mr. Carmichael uses his extensive trial and arbitration experience to deliver results for clients. Appellate Advocacy Mr. Carmichael is an experienced appellate advocate, having briefed and argued more than fifty civil and criminal appeals in state and federal appellate courts, including the Eighth Circuit, Seventh Circuit, Illinois Appellate Court, Tennessee Supreme Court, Illinois Supreme Court, and United States Supreme Court. Appellate advocacy requires a unique skill set that Mr. Carmichael has honed over years of practice, after starting as an appellate clerk with the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Contracts & Agreements Mr. Carmichael provides general counseling and advice to business in structuring agreements and handling disagreements that arise in business relationships. He has negotiated and documented joint ventures, partnerships, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements, licenses, leases, warranties, indemnities, and vendor agreements. He also advises clients on interpreting and enforcing agreements, such as non-competes/non-solicitations, indemnity provisions, and limitations of liability and exclusions. Prior Experience Mr. Carmichael began his career as a law clerk to Judge William J. Bauer of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. After clerking, Mr. Carmichael became an associate and was later elevated to partner at the international law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP. More recently, Mr. Carmichael taught courses on non-monetary relief as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Law at DePaul University.