Profile
I chose Taylor English because the firm reflects my values: Taylor English is a disrupter in the legal marketplace; I have also sought to be a disruptive force in the legal profession. I am a “lawpreneur;” Taylor English is a law firm for entrepreneurs. More importantly, my focus and the firm’s focus is on doing well by doing good. I feel that this is a place where I can have tremendous social impact while providing unparalleled legal and business services.
Robert Johnson is an accomplished corporate attorney who seeks to utilize his experience of more than 25 years in the areas of management, risk assessment, crisis management and dispute resolution both domestically and internationally to address economic development issues in underserved communities domestically and societal challenges globally. A social entrepreneur who describes himself as a “lawpreneur,” one who engages in working efficiently in both disciplines of law and business, he also owns a Social Enterprise management consulting firm and a franchise that provides business brokerage, merger and acquisition services, franchise consulting and franchise development.
As a complement to his legal and business experience, Mr. Johnson also has a special emphasis on addressing diversity and social responsibility issues. “Do Well by Doing Good” is a long standing motto of Mr. Johnson’s which drives him to coach, develop, and train startups and midsized companies on economic growth and intercultural learning. Prior to joining Taylor English, Mr. Johnson was a partner and the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at the largest minority and woman owned law firm in the country. Additionally, he was a member of the McDonald’s Corp. Diversity and Inclusion faculty and traveled the country to address diversity issues and to teach Black Career Development and Intercultural Learning.
For years, in addition to being McDonald’s Corp. Managing Counsel, he assumed many leading roles with McDonalds Corp. including Franchise Relations Officer and Ombudsman, and led McDonald’s Corp. Tort Litigation Practice Group. Known as a “fixer,” he was responsible for resolving conflicts between McDonald’s Corp. and its owners, managed the Company’s $55 million/year Worker’s Compensation Program for all domestic corporately owned restaurants, and provided expertise in customer claims handling and crisis management for McDonald’s Corp. markets in Europe, Asia, Canada, Latin America and Australia.
Robert also sits on the board of Legal Prep Academy and is Executive Director of the Minority In-House Counsel Association. Mr. Johnson is a recipient of the 2009 Chicago United Business Leaders of Color Award, the 2008 Council on Legal Educational Opportunity Legacy Diversity Award, the 2006 National Eagle Leadership Institute and Career Focus Magazine Eagle Award, the McDonald’s Corp. 2003 Shining Light Award.
Mr. Johnson received his Juris Doctorate for the University of Illinois College of law and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Business Administration, and Sociology and Anthropology from Knox College.
Memberships
James R. Jordan Foundation, Board Member
Legal Prep Academy, Board Member
National Urban League’s Black Executive Exchange Program, Former Executive Advisory Board
Common Ground Foundation, Former Board Member
Newsroom
Speaking Engagements
- "How to Successfully Pitch for Business,” Massachusetts Black Bar Association, 2015
- "The Power of the African American Consumer,” Wyndham Hotel Group, 2015
- Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society, Chicago State University, Commencement Keynote Speaker, 2015
- "Executive Branding For Lawyers," Perkins Coie, Diverse Partners Law Firm Partners Retreat, 2015
- "Success Strategies for Executives of Color,” Alpha Kappa Alpha National Convention, 2014
- "How to Successfully Pitch for Business,” Minority Corporate Counsel Association, 2014
- "Developing Your Leadership Brand," American Heart Association, 2013
Headlines
- November 12, 2020
- August 13, 2019
- June 26, 2019
News Releases
- A Fractional GC Practice for Companies Experiencing ChangeOctober 20, 2020
- June 20, 2019
Education
University of Illinois College of Law, JD, 1993
Knox College, BS, Economics and Sociology, 1990
Bar Admissions
Illinois
Accolades
Top Litigation Counsel, First Chair Award, 2012
Chicago Business Leader of Color, 2009
Risk & Insurance Risk Innovator Award, 2009
Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO), Legacy Diversity Award, 2008
The National Eagle Leadership Institute Eagle Award, 2006
McDonald's Corporation, Shining Light Award, 2003
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, Black & Hispanic Achievers Award, 2002
Bloom Trail High School Hall of Fame for Distinguished Accomplishments in the Field of Law
Top 100 Black Lawyers in America, 2018