Christopher W. Carmichael

Mr. Carmichael’s practice focuses on:  Affirmative Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Appeals; and Contracts.

Mr. Carmichael’s clients include businesses in retailing, manufacturing, technology, and services industries.  His clients range from closely-held businesses to publicly traded companies.  

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Affirmative & Commercial Litigation 

Mr. Carmichael’s 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.  Mediation and ADR are used when 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.  Mr. Carmichael is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society.

Appellate Advocacy

Mr. Carmichael is an experienced appellate advocate, having briefed and argued more than seventy-five 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.

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​Contracts & Agreements

Mr. Carmichael provides general counseling and advice to businesses structuring agreements.  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 later a partner at the international law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP.  Mr. Carmichael has also taught courses on non-monetary relief as an Adjunct Professor of Law.