Chris Johnson helps forward-thinking engineering and technology companies in mechanical engineering, medical devices, electrical engineering, and chemical applications protect their intellectual property assets, including patent litigation, trademarks, copyrights, and unfair business practices. Chris also has experience in inter partes review proceedings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Before joining Carlson Caspers, Chris’s legal experience was at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office with the Special Prosecutions Bureau, Professional Standards Unit. Chris handled legal documents and matters, reviewing deaths-in-custody, and employee misconduct.
Chris draws from real-world corporate experience as a manufacturing engineer at Ecolab, Inc., an international bio-services corporation. He was responsible for developing and implementing process and product line improvements. Chris also worked at an engineering co-op where he was responsible for testing the quality and consistency of plastic products for automotive clients.
While in law school at Notre Dame, Chris served as an assistant rector of Fisher Hall for two years. He was responsible for overseeing property operations and supporting the spiritual life of the residents. Chris also worked as Managing Senior Editor of the Law Review and as a consulting editor for the nascent Journal on Emerging Technologies. Chris balanced his studies with pick-up basketball, occasional running, and rock climbing but re-started his interest in golf right as COVID shut down the golf courses around campus. Chris participated in the firm’s summer associate program.
Chris is active in the legal community and dedicated to providing pro bono counsel. He was recognized by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a North Star Lawyer for providing at least 50 hours of pro bono work in 2022.
Chris’s other interests include roasting coffee, woodworking, reading about religious history and thought, and keeping things in good working order (like the 1979 motorcycle he had for a few years and willingly sold for his new bride’s peace-of-mind).
EDUCATION
University of Notre Dame Law School
J.D., magna cum laude, Managing Senior Editor, Vol. 95 | Notre Dame Law Review
University of Wisconsin
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, with distinction
BAR ADMISSIONS
Minnesota Supreme Court
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office