Johanes’ practice includes complex commercial litigation, white-collar defense, and internal corporate investigations. To each body of law, he brings extensive writing and courtroom experience, a demonstrated track record of success, and a focus on efficient client service with results. With over ten years of experience and being a member of the Illinois and Ohio bars, Johanes’ deep and broad experience provides calm to clients in turbulent waters.
In commercial litigation, Johanes has experience in all phases of litigation in state and federal courts – from pre-pleading counsel to discovery, motions practice, post-trial briefing, and appeals. As a first chair attorney, he has argued and won dispositive motions in federal courts across the country on behalf of companies large and small.
Johanes also regularly advises C-Suite Executives, and Boards of Directors of public and privately held companies, regarding compliance and litigation strategy. When necessary, he conducts internal investigations in response to whistleblower complaints, civil investigative demands, subpoenas, and law enforcement inquiries.
In criminal law, he has appeared in hundreds of federal cases, with deep experience in both District Courts and the U.S. Courts of Appeals. Johanes is a member of the federal bar in all federal courts of Ohio and Illinois. He has represented clients charged with fraud, money laundering, healthcare-related, and other Class A felonies.
Johanes is recognized as a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the Northern District of Ohio. Membership on the CJA panel, which requires approval by judges and court staff, is only afforded to practitioners with significant experience representing persons charged with serious criminal offenses in federal court and demonstrate a commitment to indigent defense.
Johanes is an adjunct law professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Law. In 2022, the Governor of Illinois appointed him to the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission. His pro bono work includes post-conviction petitioning and immigration and refugee representation.
Prior to law school, Johanes was a professional soccer player for three years, in Major League Soccer (San Jose Earthquakes) and the United Soccer Leagues (Puerto Rico Islanders). He played college soccer at Stanford, where the team finished ranked in the top 10 in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
Representative Experience
- Defended freight logistics and company in breach of contract dispute and obtained dismissal on jurisdictional grounds.
- Represented a global consumer goods conglomerate in connection with fraud and other claims arising from advertising and media buying services.
- Represented American consortium in acquisition of European professional soccer team.
- Represented cable television provider on administrative law and anti-trust (Sherman Act) claims.
- Represented international health care product manufacturer in breach of contract claim stemming from debt offering and warranty offering.
- Represented real estate investment company in responding to government subpoena and investigation.
- Representing a global luxury goods retail conglomerate in a arbitration alleging breach of contract claims.
- As special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General, and lead private counsel for Ohio University, won a complete defense victory for Ohio University in a case stemming from the death of a student at an off-campus property. Set statewide precedent regarding statutory duties, as well as wrongful death and negligence claims owed by schools and universities.
