Overview
Joe is a zealous advocate who aggressively pursues what others say can’t be done. He was raised to value service and became a lawyer because he always believed that service was at the core of a lawyer’s role in the community. Today he handles litigation, defending clients in matters relating to product liability, professional liability, premises liability, bad faith insurance defense, insurance coverage disputes and election law.
As co-chair of the Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and FinTech Service Group, Joe has experience in all aspects of the digital asset space. Joe has been an active investor and proponent of Bitcoin since 2015. Joe provides practical and legal expertise to individuals and companies on regulatory compliance and custodial solutions for digital assets for the last several years. He advises crypto startups and handles disputes involving cryptocurrency exchanges. Joe closely studies the nascent field of litigation and discovery involving digital assets. He is prepared to help clients navigate the full range of complex and evolving issues in the field. Joe shares a passion for the technology driving global adoption of cryptocurrency and is a frequent speaker on payment systems, Bitcoin, blockchain technology, and DeFi.
Joe is an adjunct professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, teaching trial advocacy. He also coaches Chicago-Kent’s nationally ranked Trial Advocacy Team.
Experience
Membership & Involvement
- Member: National Young Leadership
- Fellow: People for the American Way; New Leader Council
Honors
- Named “Champion” and “Best Advocate," National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s (NITA) Tournament of Champions, 2010
- Selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers "Rising Stars" List: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
- Selected to The Best Lawyers in America© Ones to Watch in Commercial Litigation: 2021, 2022
- Selected to The Best Lawyers in America© Ones to Watch in Insurance Law: 2022
Resources & Insights
In the Media
Alerts
Published Works
Firm News
- 35 SmithAmundsen Attorneys Included on 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists35 SmithAmundsen Attorneys Included on 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Congratulations to all of our attorneys named to the 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers and 2022 Illinois Rising Stars lists!
- The Bitcoin Effect Podcast Welcomes Joe Carlasare and Talks the Transition to a Bitcoin StandardThe Bitcoin Effect Podcast Welcomes Joe Carlasare and Talks the Transition to a Bitcoin Standard
"Can We Avoid a Doomsday Scenario?" Joe Carlasare joins host of The Bitcoin Effect podcast, Nate Martin, to discuss the economic ramifications and obstacles that a transition to a Bitcoin standard would present.
- 43 SmithAmundsen Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 202243 SmithAmundsen Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2022
Inclusion in this listing is entirely based on peer review and demonstrates that attorneys in each nominee’s respective fields hold these attorneys in high esteem.
- Congress Has Kicked the Cyber Hornet's NestCongress Has Kicked the Cyber Hornet's Nest
Joe Carlasare's co-authored article, "Congress Has Kicked the Cyber Hornet's Nest," that was published by Bitcoin Magazine explains how and why the Bitcoin community was so impactful to policymakers during the debate over the proposed infrastructure bill.
Services
Education
Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., 2012, cum laude
Loyola University Chicago, B.A., 2008, magna cum laude
Admissions
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Texas