About Richard K.
Richard K. Johnson graduated from Northwestern University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science and earned his J.D. from DePaul College of Law in 1982. Those years set the foundation for a long legal career centered in Illinois. He built his practice on courtroom work and firm leadership, informed by decades of experience in state courts.
Johnson rose through the ranks of his firm and became a managing partner in 2009 at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca. The role expanded his responsibilities beyond casework. He balanced trial calendars with administrative duties, supervising other attorneys and helping steer the firm’s direction during a period of change for many mid‑sized practices.
He is licensed to practice in Illinois and remains active in professional organizations. He holds membership in the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and in the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Those affiliations have kept him connected to peers and current developments in trial practice and litigation strategy.
Colleagues describe Johnson as pragmatic in the courtroom. He favors careful preparation and measured argument. Over time he has handled complex schedules and high-pressure hearings, and he applies those rhythms to mentoring younger lawyers at the firm. His approach in casework is methodical: identify the critical facts, test them through discovery, and present them clearly to judges and juries.
Outside the courtroom, his tenure as managing partner meant frequent involvement in personnel and case management decisions. He has overseen case staffing and firm administration, and he has participated in efforts to ensure clients receive consistent representation. Johnson currently practices at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca. His current practice centers on litigation in Illinois.
