About Steven R
Steven R Johnson graduated from Northwestern University in 1981 and earned his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School in 1989. Those years set the foundation for a long career in courtroom work. He entered the bar at the end of the 1980s and went on to practice primarily in Illinois and in federal trial courts.
Early in his career Johnson focused on developing trial skills. He gained experience handling contested matters in both state and federal forums. Over time he expanded the procedural and appellate aspects of his work. He has spent decades handling case preparation, dispositive motions, and jury trials. He has also worked on pretrial strategy and settlement discussions when cases moved away from the courtroom.
Johnson’s admissions include the Illinois bar and the Federal Trial Bar. That combination has allowed him to represent clients in Illinois state courts and in federal district courts. His practice has required close attention to evidence rules, motion practice, and the scheduling demands of active dockets. He has navigated discovery disputes and argued contested hearings before trial when necessary.
Throughout his career Johnson has worked from multiple offices in the Chicago area. He splits his time between a Chicago office and a Wheaton office. Those locations have placed him near both metropolitan and suburban courthouse centers. He handles client conferences, depositions, and courtroom appearances from those offices, adapting to the different rhythms of urban and suburban practice.
Colleagues describe him as deliberate in courtroom preparation and steady under pressure. He favors clear written filings and direct oral advocacy. He balances case law research with practical scheduling needs. His background — a liberal arts undergraduate degree followed by a late-1980s law school education — informs a methodical approach to litigation tasks.
As of 2026 Johnson continues to maintain an active litigation practice in Illinois and before the federal trial bar. He works from the Chicago and Wheaton offices and represents clients in state and federal courts, focusing on trial preparation, motion practice, and courtroom advocacy.
